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July 25, 2006
ED takes off the glovesFrom testing to teacher quality to school choice, the U.S. Department of Education (ED) has shifted from being flexible to heavy-handed in enforcing states' compliance with the No Child Left Behind Act. This New York Times article reports that most states failed to meet NCLB's major deadlines on standards and assessments as well as on highly qualified teachers. See this BoardBuzz item. ED has threatened states with substantial financial penalties for noncompliance.
What's more, states said they have sensed an attitude change in ED, shifting from a partnership approach with states to a "mean-spirited, arbitrary and heavy-handed way," Douglas Christensen, Nebraska's education commissioner, told the NYT. Another relationship gone sour: Arizona sued ED in early July over testing flexibility for students with limited English proficiency. See this item.
Many other states such as Delaware and California are confused and frustrated about ED's abrupt change in tone. These feelings are largely results of ED's piecemeal attempt to fix the law by cutting deals with states. Now a comprehensive overhaul of the law should be in order. See this bill in Congress and BoardBuzz's commentary.
Posted July 25, 2006 2:45 PM | No Child Left Behind
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