NCLB: Act II
NCLB: Act II covered federal developments affecting education. This blog is no longer being updated, but you can continue to explore these issues on edweek.org by visiting our related topic pages: federal.
Education
Pace of Restructuring Is Slow, New Report Says
In the seven-year life of NCLB, the Center on Education Policy has been digging up numbers that are fueling debates about the law. Just last week, the Bush administration relied on the Washington-based think tank's research to justify getting rid of the "hold harmless" on Title I grants so that states can put additional money into school restructuring.
Education
"No Child ... " Tells Story of Children, Not NCLB
Nilaja Sun's one-woman show "No Child ... " is not about the No Child Left Behind Act. But the law's cameo near the conclusion draws derisive cheers.
Education
Senior Republican Sees 'Pragmatic Changes' for NCLB
Rep. Thomas E. Petri, R-Wis., one of the most senior members of the House Education and Labor Committee, suggests that he and his colleagues should set aside politics and practice common sense in this online commentary.
Education
Bush Budget Could Double Money to Help Struggling Schools
School improvement efforts would get a big boost under the budget proposal President Bush unveiled yesterday. By changing some administrative rules, the budget would guarantee $570 million would be spent on turning around schools struggling to meet their goals under NCLB. That would be in addition to the $491 million currently being spent on such schools through a grant program.
Education
Ex-President's Entry into NCLB Debate Could Endanger Reauthorization
President Clinton's "train wreck" comments last week set off a discussion among the wonkish edubloggers. Phyllis McClure e-mailed me an several others that Clinton has amnesia. He forgets that he signed a 1994 law that had many of NCLB's key elements and that his administration didn't enforce it. Charlie Barone writes in two different items (here and here) that NCLB was the natural outgrowth of that 1994 law.
Education
Bush's Budget Looks Like Spreadsheet's 'Hidden' Data
The Department of Education has posted its fiscal 2009 budget proposal on its Web site. It looks as if the spreadsheet that made the rounds in recent weeks had the right figures. The budget would provide nominal increases for Title I and special education. It would restore the Reading First program back to the fiscal 2007 level of $1 billion. And it would eliminate programs for career and technical education, tech-prep, and educational technology.
Education
Spellings to Appeal NCLB Ruling
Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings is going to appeal a federal court decision that revived a lawsuit claiming that NCLB is an unfunded mandate. Read all about it at The School Law Blog.
Education
NCLB on the Campaign Trail: A Tool for Revenge?
Over at Campaign K-12, my colleague Michele McNeil asks a good question: Is Bill Clinton using NCLB to get back at a certain Massachusetts senator for endorsing Barack Obama?
Reading & Literacy
Spellings Tries to Rescue 'Reading First'
Maybe the hidden budget data are right.
Education
Hill Aides List Priorities for NCLB's Second Act
The Aspen Institute organized a session on Capitol Hill yesterday with the main purpose of prodding Congress to act on NCLB—and soon. "Maybe today we can start the surge on NCLB," said Tommy G. Thompson, a former Wisconsin governor and Cabinet secretary under President Bush and a co-chairman of the Aspen's Commission on No Child Left Behind.
Education
Do 'Unhidden' Data Give Glimpse of '09 Budget?
At some point during January, someone downloaded a spreadsheet from this link on the Department of Education Web site. The document contains every state's allocation under the department's state-grant programs, dating back to fiscal 2001. But this curious Excel expert clicked on a button to "unhide" data, and PRESTO: A new column appeared. It included estimates for fiscal 2009.
Education
In Election, NEA Tries to Influence NCLB's Future
The National Education Association plans to spend $40 million on campaign activities this year. Most of that will go to phone banks, get-out-the-vote efforts, and other standard campaign priorities. But the union wants to do more than support the candidates it favors. It's hoping to influence the future of NCLB.
Education
Russo Digs Up Old News, But Gets Story Right
Last week, Alexander Russo took me to task for my blog item about a piece of performance art built around NCLB. It's something he wrote about last year, he noted. But I thought it was news (and I still do) that the show has moved from New York to Washington—a town where a substantial number of my readers live.
Education
NCLB May Move Forward, But Without Private School Choice
President Bush used his State of the Union address to once again call on Congress to reauthorize NCLB. But the one concrete idea he proposed in the speech—$300 million school choice program open to private schools—won't generate much enthusiasm from Democratic leaders in Congress.