In the modern world, quality education for all is of paramount importance. According to scholars, education is power and without it, one is not complete in life. The government of the United States has been putting all the necessary mechanisms in place at least to ensure that no child is left uneducated. As a result, various programs have been developed to ensure that each and every child get educated. This paper therefore highlights how the “No Child Left behind Act” (NCLB) has increased and improved academic standards in the United States public schools since its enactment in 2002. For more information, read the publication of United States Department of Education Especially the 1st chapter.
No Child Left behind Act of (NCLB) Is a United States Act passed by the congress with an intention of improving education among the public schools. Originally, No Child Left Behind Act was proposed and brought on board by the administration of former president George walker Bush immediately he assumed office. The bill received a warm reception and it was overwhelmingly supported by the Congress. Basically, the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 is in favor of educational reforms that are standard-based. Read West and Peterson chapter 1for more information
In other words, the bill acknowledges that the setting of high educational standards as well as the proper establishment of measurable educational objectives can highly improve the quality of education. The act therefore dictates that the government’s development of basic skill assessments that are to be given to students in various grades if the states benefit from the federal school funds. However, NCLB does not necessarily or directly assert the national schools’ performance in terms of standards but instead; the mandate of setting standards is given to individual states. Since the act was enacted, the congress voted to increase the federal education funds. The funds that were specifically issued for NCLB program were also increased by 40%.
It therefore equally imperative to acknowledge the fact that even though the act was meant to benefit only public schools, it also came as a blessing in disguise to private schools.
Benefits of No Child Left Behind Act (Cornelia, Chapter 3&4)
One of the strongest benefits that the act has brought to schools in terms of positivity is the increased accountability that both schools and teachers need. According to provisions of the legislation, the schools are expected to pass the yearly tests which show how individual students have performed in a fiscal year. The annually standardized tests are the primary means when it comes to the determination of whether the schools are performing to the required level.
The act has successfully linked the national standards of academic contents with the general outcome of students. Also, academic performances of students have been weighed. For instance, a student’s ability to read has to be tested at least three times in a year in terms of grading. The same has to be done in American high schools at least once through some structured standardized tests.
The act has seen the establishment of ideal foundation for public schools. As a result, parental involvement has been enhanced in schools and at the same time, the school’s administrations have been highly improved following the application of successful application of assessment data.
As far as the school choice is concerned, No Child Left Behind Act has provided students who are enrolled in poorly performing schools to relocate. As a result of this option, students have chances of joining better performing local schools. They can receive free tuitions and at the same time, they can attend to after school programs.
NCLB act has also helped well performing public schools to qualify for available grants for highly performing schools. Such grants are therefore beneficial since they are used for hiring the top notched teachers in the country and absorb them to local districts.
No Child Left Behind Program has also helped improve academic standards in various ways. For instance, it requires the teacher to prove his/her competence in class by passing a certain stringent test that is done to prove the teacher’s ability in central academic disciplines. For more on other multiple advantages of NCLB act, read Olivert chapter 1.
Conclusion
No Child Left Behind is a program that was originally meant to serve public but it has been realized that even private schools have benefitted from this program. The act has brought more good than worse and every state should ensure its full implementation. Other governments have started emulating this program and that only shows the advantages that come with the NCLB act.
Works Cited
Cornelia, Ashby. No Child Left Behind Act: Educational Needs to Provide Additional Technical Assistance and Conduct Implementation Studies for School Choice Provision. New York: GAO Press, 2004, Print.
Cornelia, Ashby. No Child Left Behind Act: Enhancements in the Department of Education’s Review Process Could Improve State Academic Assessments. New York: GAO press, 2009. Print.
Olivert, D. No Child Left Behind Act: text, interpretation and changes. New York: Nova Science Publishers, 2007. Print.
Shaul, Marnie. No Child Left Behind Act: New York, GAO Publishers, 2010. Print.
United States Department of Education. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001: Benefits to Private School Students and Teachers. New York: Bibliobaraar, 2011. Print
West, R.M. & Peterson, E.P. No Child Left Behind: The Politics and Practice of School Accountability. Washington D.C.: R.R. Donnelley publishers, 2003. Print.
