Three centrist senators unveiled their version of NCLB reauthorization today. Details aside, the proposal has one intriguing suggestion: rename the law. Sens. Lieberman, Landrieu, and Coleman call their bill the All Students Can Achieve Act.
Despite the new name, the bill would retain NCLB’s goal of all children achieving proficiency in reading and mathematics by 2014. It would change some important policies, though, following many recommendations of the Aspen Institute’s Commission on NCLB. The bill would identify highly effective teachers and determine accountability for schools based on the growth of student achievement. It would invest in state data systems to accomplish those changes. It would give the National Assessment Governing Board the job of establishing voluntary national standards.
Also today, a new coalition formed and made it clear that it likes the NCLB moniker, using it in its name. NCLB Works includes the Business Roundtable, the Education Trust, and several civil rights groups.
NCLB is the latest name for the 42-year-old Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Congress usually changes the law’s name with every reauthorization. Would a new name make it easier or harder to complete reauthorization this year?
Stayed tuned.
