News Archives – January 2008
January 31 – WLOX – Ed. secretary pledges to work with La. about No Child Left Behind
Secretary Spellings continues to work towards reauthorizing the law that has helped to improve student achievement and announces that Louisiana will receive a $2.6 million grant to help make improvements at low-performing schools.
January 24, 2008 – Detroit Free Press – “No Child Left Behind faces a test of its own”
With a year to go in his presidency, President George W. Bush is making one last push to ensure that the federal No Child Left Behind law retains its core principles: annual testing, achievement deadlines and consequences for schools that consistently score poorly.
January 23, 2008 – Forbes - Special section: Educating our children
A special section on education in Forbes included commentary on education issues penned by Craig Barrett, Bill Gates, Rep. Howard McKeon, Rep. George Miller, Secretary Spellings and many other prominent educators and leaders who examine the issues and proffer solutions for U.S. education.
January 19, 2008 – USA Today – “Spellings pushes on her own to keep No Child law alive”
With just more than a year left in office, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings says she plans to take matters into her own hands on the 6-year-old No Child Left Behind law and use her executive authority to push through changes that have stalled in Congress. She says the changes can't wait for congressional action or a new administration. Congress has not renewed the 2002 law, by which the federal government funds public schools.
January 17, 2008 – The Oregonian – “Spellings visits Ore. on No Child tour”
U.S. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings on Thursday defended the No Child Left Behind education law, but acknowledged it could use some improvement. Spellings met the State Board of Education in Salem, where board members complained that the law penalizes schools with high numbers of special education, poor, transient or non-English speaking students.
January 15, 2008 – Miami Herald – “Jeb Bush forms new education group to reward top teachers”
Former Gov. Jeb Bush announced the formation Tuesday of a second organization to advance his education policy goals, including school accountability, teacher merit pay and vouchers that allow children to attend private schools at public expense. The new Foundation for Excellence in Education will focus on carrying out programs to demonstrate such policies including cash awards of at least $2,500 for up to 100 of Florida's top teachers and their classrooms. Selection will be based on how much their students have improved on standardized reading and math tests.
January 14, 2008 – Congressional Quarterly Today – “Groups Look to Kennedy to Steer 'No Child' Education Renewal to Success”
Advocates pushing for a renewal of President Bush's signature 2002 education law this year are staking their hopes on veteran Senate dealmaker Edward M. Kennedy. The Massachusetts Democrat, a co-author of the original No Child Left Behind Act, plans to introduce a reauthorization bill "in early spring," according to a news release. But any Kennedy effort will face the same pitfalls that ensnared a House draft last year: abnormal political alliances, an administration reluctant to compromise and election-year politics that will only complicate negotiations.
January 11, 2008 – Washington Times – “Spellings says No Child law is 'getting results”
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings yesterday said America has reached a "tipping point" on education and must decide whether to keep the No Child Left Behind law's accountability for public schools, which she said has forced "an honest look at our schools."
January 10, 2008 – Nashua Telegraph – “Controversial education law can't be left behind”
For six years, schools have been working under the testing mandates of the No Child Left Behind law, a comprehensive education reform plan intended to close the achievement gap…. The Business Coalition for Student Achievement, which represents business leaders across the country, has organized a campaign called "NCLB Works!" They argue the law is helping to make gains.
January 3, 2008 – Austin American-Statesman – “Businesses taking more interest in education”
As school systems explore ways to enhance college and work place readiness among high school graduates, the business community is taking a more active role. That activity isn't limited to campus volunteers and the occasional cash donation. Businesses increasingly are making their voices heard on a range of political and education policy issues.
