News Archives – April 2007
April 25, 2007 – Associated Press, Jim Kuhnhenn, “Foundations spending $60 million to make education a presidential campaign issue”
Two of the world's wealthiest charitable foundations are bankrolling a $60 million initiative aimed at making education an issue in the 2008 presidential campaign. Philanthropists Bill Gates and Eli Broad are hoping their "Strong American Schools" project will goad the presidential candidates into taking bold stands on education even if it means angering their own constituencies.
April 24, 2007 – Associated Press, Ben Feller, “Bush pushes Congress to renew, expand No Child Left Behind Act”
President Bush, focusing on an overshadowed domestic agenda, urged on Congress on Tuesday to renew and broaden the farthest-reaching education law in a generation. At a Harlem charter school, Bush lauded the same elements of the No Child Left Behind Act that have made it a tough sell in many places -- yearly testing and consequences for failure.
April 23, 2007 – The Californian, Tori Hatada, “NCLB not undermining education”
NCLB is based on the belief that public schools can meet high expectations, and that all children have the potential to read and do math at grade level. We have visited schools with disadvantaged children who, with the help of dedicated teachers, are now meeting this goal. This progress is confirmed by the National Assessment of Educational Progress, which reports rising test scores for African-American and Latino students and falling achievement gaps between them and their white classmates.
April 13, 2007 – Associated Press, James Prichard, “McCain touts job-training plan during Michigan stop”
Republican presidential candidate John McCain said Friday if he is elected to the White House next year, he would work to make sure that educators are held more accountable, that teachers get performance-based rewards and that students have choices in their schools.
April 9, 2007 – Harvard Political Review, Joey Michalakes, “No Law Left Behind?”
Half a decade after the bipartisan fanfare that accompanied its passage, the Bush Administration’s No Child Left Behind Act comes up for renewal later this year. While policy makers, experts, and educators generally agree that the law needs revision, there is widespread disagreement over exactly what shape reform will take. Nevertheless, it is almost certain that pressing political concerns will provide Congress with an incentive to extend No Child Left Behind. Though Republicans and Democrats are perhaps motivated by separate ideological agendas, it is within the interests of both parties to achieve bipartisan consensus and see some incarnation of the law reauthorized.
April 13, 2007 – Associated Press, Ben Feller, “Bush Defends No Child Left Behind Act”
Congress is working on renewing the law, which remains unpopular in many districts nationwide. "It is important for all of us to make it clear that accountability is not a way to punish anybody," Bush told supporters of the law in a meeting at the White House. "It's an essential component to making sure that our system, our education system, frankly is not discriminatory." Bush got unified support from the group of business, education and civil rights leaders he invited to the Roosevelt Room. They spoke of economic competitiveness and social justice.
April 5, 2007 – Washington Times, Amy Fagan, “Middle ground found in testing ; Schools can alter exams for disabled youth”
Bush administration officials yesterday said they will ease some of the rules that govern testing for students with disabilities thus allowing more of these students to take tests that are geared to them as opposed to those currently required under the No Child Left Behind law.
April 4, 2007 – Education Week, Mary Ann Zehr, “Voicing Concern for English-Learners in Debate Over NCLB”
Peter Zamora—lawyer, former high school teacher, and energetic advocate for the needs of English-language learners—can trace his concern for such students to time spent in a California high school. Testifying on behalf of the Hispanic Education Coalition at a March 23 congressional hearing, he spoke out for better assessments for English-learners, more technical assistance for the states on testing issues, and the importance of fully including English-learners in NCLB’s accountability system.
April 2, 2007 – CQ Weekly, Michael Sandler, “Minding Their Business”
Now, as the statute that Bush dubbed “No Child Left Behind” comes up for reauthorization, an even larger force from the business community is trying to influence the outcome. They bring to the debate in Congress a sense of urgency that the nation’s economic future depends on an educated workforce, and that, in turn, depends on schools with high standards. China and India, they warn, are experiencing extraordinary gains in education and outpacing our production of engineers and scientists. The business leaders point to data that reveals a generation of students lagging behind and failing to leave high school prepared. They insist that schools reshape curricula, boost standards and carefully evaluate teachers in order to better prepare students for college and the workforce.
