Public schools face a number of challenges; most of which come as a result of lack of government funding for mandates. Other mandates as stipulated by governments also receive inadequate funds thereby crippling other fundamental services that such schools ought to offer like quality education. One of the such mandates in the United States of America is the No Child Left Behind which is an act of congress that was assented to law by President George Bush. The act was meant to standardize education according to states and does not support a federal standardization of education (Stecher, Vernez, Steinberg, & Rand Education Institute, 2010).
The NCLB Act demands that all states should come up with an annual standardized students’ assessment based on basic skills. It is only through this that respective states can receive funding from the federal government. Thus, the act takes into account the interests of disadvantaged students. The initiative by the president was targeted at increasing accountability amongst schools and their respective teachers. This target would be evaluated from the yearly performances of students from their respective schools (Stecher, Vernez, Steinberg, & Rand Education Institute, 2010).
Another important factor to note about the legislation is the fact that bright students were to be allowed to transfer to other better-performing schools in the event that their school failed to meet the Adequate Yearly Progress tests. Moreover, prior to the enactment of the Act, teachers were required to be certified and had a bachelor's degree. However, this initiative now compels teachers to meet standards set by either the federal or state governments (Stecher, Vernez, Steinberg, & Rand Education Institute, 2010).
The No Child Left Behind receives both federal and state funding. However, much to the program’s funding comes from the federal government. It was as a result of this action that federal education funding went up from $42.2 Billion to $55. 7 Billion. It was between the fiscal year of its enactments and the fiscal year 2004. The funds for this initiative are thus enough to ensure its agenda are met (Stecher, Vernez, Steinberg, & Rand Education Institute, 2010).
Reference
Stecher, B. M., Vernez, G., Steinberg, P. S., & Rand Education (Institute). (2010). Reauthorizing No Child Left Behind: Facts and recommendations. Santa Monica, CA: RAND.
