Education Reform in 2008:
Don’t Leave the Issue Behind 

This week, an editorial in the Washington Post urged candidates to engage in discussions of education reform that go in depth, rather than skirting the issues of fundamental importance to America’s public education system. 

“CONGRESSIONAL inertia in reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act could well mean that the shape of federal education policy is left to the next president. But the law and its principles of standards-based reform have created splits within each party, and candidates are running warily. In large measure, Democrats are sticking to safe topics such as expanding pre-kindergarten programs, reducing class sizes and making college more affordable. Republicans are stressing their commitment to expanding choice in education.

“When the issue of NCLB does come up, too often the impulse has been to launch a sound-bite attack…

“By bringing accountability into American classrooms, the law has made it impossible for schools to hide their failures in educating some children behind their successes with others. Results of testing as well as reports by outside groups show students doing better in math and reading, as well as a narrowing of the achievement gap between blacks and whites.”

“Running from ‘No Child,’” November 27, 2007

Read more in the Washington Post >> 

 

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