NCLB
reauthorization:
National discussion continues With the No Child
Left Behind Act up for reauthorization, lawmakers in
Washington, D.C., continue to debate the merits of the
landmark legislation. One plan that has gained attention
recently is a draft issued by Rep. George Miller and Rep.
Howard “Buck” McKeon. Both of the California representatives
are members of the House Education and Labor Committee.
On Aug. 27, the “Miller-McKeon NCLB Discussion Draft” was
issued. This draft includes many items that have been the
focus of discussions nationwide: using growth models to
calculate adequate yearly progress, allowing for multiple
measures for schools to reach progress goals, and
differentiating among schools in improvement (those that
miss AYP in just a few subgroups versus those that miss AYP
in multiple subgroups).
The draft also contains sections related to English language
learners and students with disabilities. These two areas
often are cited by school leaders as areas of concern with
the law. In the ELL section of the draft document, verbiage
calls for authorizing states to use alternate valid and
reliable assessment measures, including portfolios, to
assess proficiency of ELL students. In the section relating
to students with disabilities, the verbiage would allow
special education students to remain in that subgroup for
accountability purposes for three years after they exit
those programs.
A comprehensive and detailed document, the draft contains a
host of other provisions – among them a controversial
teacher salary comparability item.
To read the complete “Miller-McKeon NCLB Discussion Draft”
or a summary of it, visit the
U.S. House of
Representatives Committee on Education and Labor’s homepage.
Earlier this year, the Council of Chief State School
Officers, a nonprofit, leadership and advocacy organization
for state education leaders, issued its own list of eight
policy recommendations to address the challenges of NCLB.
Click here for CCSSO’s recommendations for reauthorizing
No Child Left Behind.
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