No Child Left Behind Act
By: Andrew Dailey, Pd: 1
Step 1: Recognizing the problem/ setting the agenda
Between the years of 1995 and 2000, George W. Bush served as the governor of Texas. During his time as governor, he had an idea that the education system needed to be improved in a couple different ways. He saw education as an area of issue for the kids not being able to learn everything they are capable of learning and keeping these skills throughout their life. George felt that teachers needed to know more in the field they are teaching as well as having a high degree in that area. Also George felt the schools needed to make sure the security was increased for the students to give them a good environment to learn in, as well as making the parents sending the children know they will be safe at school. Not only was this addressed in public schools, but in state schools as well. When George W. Bush ran for president against his opponent Albert Gore, he used the policy called the "No Child Left Behind Act" as his campaign slogan to improve education throughout all schools.
(Step 1)
President Bush participates in a conversation on the "Reading First", and "No Child Left Behind" act.
Step 2: Formulating the policy
Not only was George W. Bush a main player of the formulation of the no child left behind, but also congress was as well. George Miller was the co-signer and writer of the "No child Left Behind Act" and had worked with the poor and middle class along with education in his lifetime. The funding of education had increased when Bush entered office so one of the first things he did was increase spending in education, and increased it through a program called the “No Child Left Behind Act”. This was a domestic policy to help get the education not only better but long lasting. As well as improving the information and knowledge of the teachers by having them have a higher degree. George W. Bush and the others who wrote the act, had to write the act and then propose it to congress. Both the house and the senate had to over look this act and decide from there. Bush had focused on both republican and democrat to get the over majority to vote this act into effect, by increasing the help on the students with disabilities and those who need extra help overall.
Co-Signer (Step 2)
George Miller, a Republican Congressman was the co-signer of the "No Child Left Behind Act".
Step 3: Adopting the policy
The (NCLB) had been proposed to congress on January 23rd, 2001, and signed into law on June 2002.This idea for having schools meet the education standard, that was passed by both the house of representatives and the Us Senate. The House of Representatives voted (384-45) and the Senate voted (91-8). By having the 2/3 majority in the house and senate along with the president approving of the law, the No child left Behind law was passed and signed into effect by George W. bush and co-signer George Miller. This policy is known as a social and a regulatory policy.
Voting In the House of Representatives (Step 3)
The voting in the House of Representatives was a huge win for the (NCLB) act with a final vote of 384-45 passing the act in the house.
Voting in the Senate (Step 3)
Like the House of representatives, the Senate also had a huge win for the (NCLB) act with a final vote of 91-8, passing it through the Senate.
(Step 3)
President Bush surrounded by students and the bills congressional supporters, sign the "No Child Left Behind" act into effect. The act was signed in Ohio, on January 8th, 2002.
Step 4: Implementing the Policy
For making sure that this act is being enforced and implemented throughout the USA, the government created a nonprofit organization called the “Center on Education Policy” to see how the act is being done in schools of very wealthy districts and very low income schools. Also the Department of Education is helping to have the states enforce this act and make sure the teachers are qualified by the acts standards. One thing that they did was create new standardized tests like the SAT, ACT. Each year the tests made are changed or completely changed depending on the results of the test takers overall and how they are scored overall. They have also gave money to the public schools to help pay for the teachers that need more training in their field and for security for schools.
(Step 4)
President Bush speaks to students in a St. Louis school, to see how the progress for better education is being enforced.
Step 5: Evaluating The Policy
The NCLB policy had been recorded over the years to see just how much this new policy helped or did not help change and benefit the education field of government. For more than half of the states that had responded said “the NCLB teacher requirements have improved student achievement minimally or not at all”(McMurrer). The reason for that is because before the law had been made and implemented, the teachers had a good area of knowledge in the background they are teaching as well as giving the student a good background and understanding of the tools needed for the rest of school and life. So the improvement of the teacher was not a major change if any at all. The security change implemented within this plan was a good one for schools. Some schools obtained a police officer or some form of security officer. This was not changed only for weapons but for drugs, alcohol in schools as well. This was done to better the environment for the students and staff.
Step 5: graph of the policy over the years
The graph shows that the percentage of schools that do not meet the requirements of the No child Left Behind policy. The reason for that is because of budget problems in the schools, teaching degrees, and the amount of children that are failing classes or are very close to failing.
Citations
- http://www.edweek.org/ew/issues/no-child-left-behind/
- http://americangovernment.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/641762?terms=No+Child+Left+Behind
- http://americangovernment.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/878330?terms=No+Child+Left+behind
- http://americangovernment.abc-clio.com/Search/Display/642267?terms=No+Child+Left+behind
- https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2001/h145
- https://www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/107-2001/s192
- http://becuo.com/us-congress-seal
- http://edsource.org/2014/rep-george-miller-education-reform-leader-announces-retirement/56242#.VG9soWRdXt4
- McMurrer, Jennifer. "Implementing the No Child Left Behind Teacher Requirements." CEP 1 Aug. 2007. Print.
- "Office Of The Clerk." 23 May 2001. Web. 19 Nov. 2014. <http://clerk.house.gov/evs/2001/roll145.xml>.
- Antle, James. "Leaving No Child Left Behind." The American Conservative 1 Aug. 2005. Web. 17 Nov. 2014.
- "No Child Left Behind Act." American Government. ABC-CLIO, 2014. Web. 13 Nov. 2014.