Bush Defends No Child Left Behind Act

President Says He's Holding Schools Accountable To Help, Not Punish Them

(AP)  President Bush, acknowledging public frustration over his No Child Left Behind Act, said Thursday the point of the law is not to punish schools that fall short, but to help them.

Bush suggested the White House and its allies must do a better job of explaining the goal of holding schools accountable.

Congress is working on renewing the law, which remains unpopular in many districts nationwide.

“It is important for all of us to make it clear that accountability is not a way to punish anybody,” Bush told supporters of the law in a meeting at the White House. “It's an essential component to making sure that our system, our education system, frankly is not discriminatory.”

Bush got unified support from the group of business, education and civil rights leaders he invited to the Roosevelt Room. They spoke of economic competitiveness and social justice.

But even his friendly audience pointed out flaws in the law.

The most common concern was that some states — free to determine their own academic standards — are manipulating the law by setting the bar too low for students.

“There have been some states that have been attempting to skirt the act by, in effect, dumbing down their curriculum,” said Paul Vallas, CEO of the Philadelphia School District.

No Child Left Behind, approved by Congress early in Bush's first term, is the biggest federal act in a generation. Politically, it is also vital to Bush's agenda and his legacy.

Schools that receive federal aid face sanctions if they don't show yearly progress among their students, including poor children, minorities and limited-English learners.

The result is that schools must give more attention to kids who often struggle the most.

Yet where Bush sees accountability, others see punishment.

Many parents and teachers say schools put too much emphasis on getting kids to pass tests. Bush's support of private-school vouchers has also made critics suspicious of his intentions.

The president seemed aware of these perceptions.

“It's really important for the citizens to understand that I'm a huge believer in the public school systems,” Bush said. “I believe our public schools have really made America.”

The White House allowed two reporters to sit in on Bush's meeting.

Bush appears to have enough bipartisan support to get the law renewed with its core elements intact, although conservative Republicans oppose it on grounds that it is a federal intrusion.

The law orders states to test children in reading and math in grades three through eight, and once in high school.

Bush offered no commitment on the issue of getting states to raise their standards. Instead, he defended local control and opposed the idea of judging schools based on a federal test.

The status quo, though isn't working, Bush was told time and again. State standards are a hodgepodge nationwide, although many states have committed to improve those standards.

Jeanne Allen, president of the Center for Education Reform and a participant in the meeting, said after that Bush realizes the law needs work — without being weakened.

“He was familiar with the rhetoric, and with the fact that it's very difficult for parents to negotiate No Child Left Behind,” Allen said. “He knows the challenges and the perceptions.”

[bigsk8fan]

I grant that many educators have complained about exactly how the "no child left behind" law is implemented. Many good points for sure. But my problem with W's claim to be supporting education is the fact that, under W, education budgets have lost literally over a billion dollars in federal money during his time in the White House. This issue has come up in our local elections many times for our US Representative. Yet, W can find trillions to pay for an illegal war in Iraq. Where are his priorities? Just to refresh everyone's memory, back in 2005, the Republican Congress and W voted to slash funding for primary schools by $784 million. The Republican Congress and W also voted to cut federal student aid by $12.7 billion that would have allowed middle class students to obtain low cost loans.

[olebd]

From my perspective, this debacle is yet another failure of the Bush administration. In our school disctrict, it has become all about the performance numbers. The kids do not spend enough time on each subject to fully absorb and retain what they are learning. After all the pre and post performance testing, there's no time for review. Learning is most effective by repetition, especially when it comes to math and that's not happening. Teachers are frustrated and the turnover rate in the schools have increased. Meanwhile, in regard to the erosion of funding for our public school systems, something is very wrong when our teachers have to beg parents several times a year for basic school supplies.

[johnshaft4]

As Bush epitomizes the definition of a stupid moron, he is the poster child for a child that was "left behind".

[kansas1946]

olebd
That same thing is happening in our schools. The kids are spending so much time trying to get ready for these tests, that they aren't spending enough time really learning. Cramming for a test is not learning. It is short-term and the kids forget it by the next semester. You are right on about repetition. Those pathways have to be developed by doing something over and over 'till ya got it.

[randalds]

The only goal of this act is to privatize public schools. When a school is unable to meet the government set goals for a number of years they have to offer parents vouchers so their children can attend private schools. Fine, but if they DO meet the goals one year then the goals are upped the following year and the year after that and the year after that until a school reaches the point where, in order avoid discharging the students to private schools, 100% of their students have to score 100% on the tests 100% of the time. Eventually no school can, by the design and intent of this program, meet the ever rising standards and then bye bye public schools. After that the government cuts off payment of the vouchers and only children who's parents can afford the private schools will get an education at all. This is the goal of this program.

[me4prezz]

My sister, who is 10, has just become another one of the home-schooled because the school system she was attending was AWFUL! I started dual-enrollment at the local college the first opportunity I saw to escape the mediocre and unbelievably dense curriculum of high school. They were forcing us to read books that my friends and I had all read in 1st grade--and that was in 9th to 10th grade. It is ridiculous.

My sister was struggling so bad with the demands of the teachers that she was physically abusing herself because the stress so bad. They pushed and pushed and pushed because it is all about getting those high scores and she just cracked under the stress. My mom, after trying several times to discuss this with the school and being blown off, finally pulled her from school and gave her 3 weeks to relax. She has made incredible progress at home in her studies and she has slowly stopped the self-abusive behavior.

My parents finally noticed the severity of it when my dad took her grocery shopping with him and was just jokingly asking her some simple fractions that dealt with the everyday shopping list and she had a panic attack, at 10, about getting the wrong answer.

The idea isn't to force our children to learn a substandardized test, but to actually learn!

[me4prezz]

P.S. My high school visit was....um....a few...years ago.... LOL.

That is all I am going to say about that.

[jw218389]

The Bush Legacy: No OIL COMPANY left behind!!

Impeach Bush now and save our great nation!

God Save America from Bush!

[hsinco-2009]

IMPEACH NOW AVOID THE LEGAL RUSH LATER!

[mikealford3]

From what I have seen, the No Child Left Behind is almost as big a failure as this Iraqi war mess. When will Congress wake up and impeach the little tyrant in the white house?

[clemenhagen1]

Randal: "The only goal of this act is to privatize public schools."

Correct, as per usual, Randall. But something else to keep in mind...what becomes of the school that fails to meet the mark? You yourself note how the bar gets raised to punish growth with the ultimate goal being all schools will fail? Why would they set up such a system that guarantees failure? If a school fails it gets declared a charter school. Why turn all schools into charters? Charter schools mean you rip up the union contract. That's right. Imagine that. The ulterior motive in all of this is two-fold: denigrate the public schools to push private schools and use NCLB as a tool to destroy those dreaded teacher's unions. Destroy the unions and you pave the way for no teacher tenure, reduced pay, diminished benefits, enormous class sizes, and you know the drill.

[randalds]

Destroy the unions and you pave the way for no teacher tenure, reduced pay, diminished benefits, enormous class sizes, and you know the drill.
Posted by clemenhagen1 at 11:10 PM : Apr 12, 2007

True word. Far too few people realize that neoconservatism in not just about foreign policy, but seeks basic fundamental changes in our society itself. Privatizing the schools means that only the wealthy elite will be able to afford to educate their children properly, which creates the ultimate goal of a permanent under-class, a permanent working class. No middle class for the elite to worry about and absolutely no class mobility. No way for a lower class person to move into the elite upper class. The neoconservatives believe with all their heart that this is the perfect form of government and privatizing everything from schools to our military (already happening too) is just the first step.

[tucson23]

Schools make the baby Jesus cry. Except Sunday School. I don't see where in the Bible it says, "thou shalt teach math and science," so we should probably stop before God gets mad.

[harp1963]

Howe cane we respected anythingy Bush his to saye about edgeiation. Thes gi cane hardy reed anum rite hymnself.

[harp1963]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4DykmZz_YA&mode=related&search=

[harp1963]

Sorry the link below was supposed to take you to a youtube clip of George Bush butchering the English language. Instead it just takes you to youtube.

[me4prezz]

Schools make the baby Jesus cry. Except Sunday School. I don't see where in the Bible it says, "thou shalt teach math and science," so we should probably stop before God gets mad.
Posted by tucson23 at 12:04 AM : Apr 13, 2007

Oh my gosh. You have got to be kidding me. How in the world can you humiliate and demoralize Christianity in a story about Bush and his stupid law? You need serious psychotherapy....and soon.

P.S. The Bible is more and more being confirmed by science and does in fact teach science. Keep studying. Perhaps you would benefit from this law...

[tucson23]

Jesus doesn't believe in psychotherapy. But I'm pretty sure he did mention gullability on occasion...

[ramos937]

During the 2004 campaign, during a debate on TV (not a presidential debate), an administration flack boasted about this Act. He was roundly booed by the audience that included many teachers.

[coffeehead-2009]

Just another tube of his that is funnelling private tax dollars to his PRIVATE friends.

Absolutely NO validity to his hatred of public unity via education - all under the guise of passing dollars onto his cronies who OWN charter schools.

Accountability should NOT be a limited thing.
If these public school kids that are being "saved" from the evil - bad - system (proven by TESTS) ~ then we should be shown the results of his "diversion of funds". Why don't they mandate ANY tests for their charter/private schools? Why don't we SEE the results of our saving grace in the form of increased test scores after say - a year of PrIVATE education?
No one will answer me this - not my local representative , my congresswoman or my senator.
We have NO accountability for student progress in private education and even scarier NO ACCOUNTABILITY for fraud and scamming of the filtered funds - no monetary oversight.

[dallison7]

%u201CIt is important for all of us to make it clear that accountability is not a way to punish anybody,%u201D Bush told supporters of the law


THAT'S A FVCKING JOKE!!

THE WORDS 'BUSH' AND 'ACCOUNTABILITY' IN THE SAME PARAGRAPH!!

Here we see Bush trying to refocus our attention to something other than the 'missing' emails.

He wants to talk about his failures instead of his crimes.

LESSOR OF TWO EVILS, HUH CHIMP??

[abbe7]

"The idea isn't to force our children to learn a substandardized test, but to actually learn!
Posted by me4prezz at 09:54 PM : Apr 12, 2007"

Better a well made head than a pretty full one
- Montaigne

I'm a teacher for part of my time(University level). At my exams, students are allowed to bring any notes, books, they want (no cell phones or computers, of course). They need to show that they can think by themselves ...

[asor1-2009]

A moron such as Bushie would like to see 'kids-at-risk' moved on up the public school ladder so they can graduate as an idiot - just like he did.
Ask any teacher about this stupid idea, especially the ones putting in all the OT trying to give these kids an education.
This man is a real crankCase!

[qwaszx1-2009]

If Bush is still trying to explain the benefits after 6 years then you know it's a dog.

Sorry neo-cons, you can't be opposed to anything Bush now, because you had the chance to do something from 2000-06...and didn't.

[infidel_us]

NCLB is like an egg left out in he sun. It looks fine on the outside, but it STINKS on the inside.

[rsoxfan1123]

The NCLB breaks all students into categories, white black hispanic special ed, ESL, etc. Each year the passing percentage requirement for the exam is increased in all categories, so by 2014 ALL categories must be 100% passing, including special ed spanish speaking first kids. If even ONE student fails, the school is labeled failing and teachers are fired, administrators fired and the school must pay to have the students sent to the charter school of the parent's choice. Those teachers that lose their jobs may be rehired by charter schools which will drop their income from say $25,000-$30,000 per year to $15,000 and take away all of their medical benefits. Soon, no one with a half a brain will major in education in college. The NCLB will completely destroy public education and the charter schools are ebcoming a lucrative business for Bush's frieds. Ask anyone in education about the things I have just written and they will confirm every word of it.

[rsoxfan1123]

The NCLB breaks all students into categories, white, black, Hispanic, special ed, ESL, etc. Each year the passing percentage requirement for the exam is increased in all categories, so by 2014 ALL categories must be 100% passing, including special ed Spanish speaking first kids. If even ONE student fails, the school is labeled "failing" and teachers are fired, administrators fired and the school must pay to have the students sent to a charter school. If even ONE kid blows the test off and doesn%u2019t care about it, the entire school is labeled %u201Cfailing%u201D. Those teachers that lose their jobs may be rehired by charter schools which will drop their income from say $25,000-$30,000 per year to $15,000 and most likely take away all of their medical benefits. Soon, no one with a half a brain will major in education in college. The NCLB will completely destroy public education and the charter schools are becoming a lucrative business for Bush's friends. Ask anyone in education about the things I have just written and they will confirm every word of it.

[infidel_us]

How can you continue to support or have faith in an administration who's now proven that they cannot even handle email?
Posted by jh6379 at 10:46 AM : Apr 13, 2007

1) Because he only has two more years left in office
2) Because you guys think he is an evil, lying, buffoon and I know that is NOT the case
3) Because it really sends bedwetting libs over the edge and nothing pleases me more

Having said that, I'm not happy about how things are being handled. If he were up for reelection I would NOT vote for him.

But just because I don't like him doesn't mean I would stab him in the back in front of our enemies - during a time of war. That's where me and libs part company on the "Dubya" issue.

[rsoxfan1123]

Infidel_US-and if that's you with your name flipped around US_Infidel, you know for a fact how screwed Bush and his cronies will make you and your wife's life with this NCLB mess and you know what I wrote is true. This article is about the NCLB, not the Iraq war. That's a seperate issue.

[inventagod2]

Republicons Defend No Child's Behind Act

[rsoxfan1123]

inventagod2-except US_Infidel's wife is a teacher and hates the NCLB since she is well aware of how it will destroy public education and she has told him.

[infidel_us]

rsoxfan1123,

Yeah, it's me. I had to re-register b/c CBS lost my cookie and I forgot my password. :( She's a teacher and we don't like NCLB. It may works for some, but overall it's smoke and mirrors.

[macusweil]

"read my lips no new taxes".. ..unless we can hide them from public!!

Yes, the boy and his party learned well from poppa Bush's gaff, now the GOP hides all their tax increases as either unfunded mandates that translates into higher local taxes or deferred spending which translates into higher taxes for our kids and grandkids.. really sneaky, nice going GOP!

[rsoxfan1123]

It may works for some, but overall it's smoke and mirrors.
Posted by Infidel_US
The "some that it works for" are the people that are making money from the charter schools. The superintendent of our local district explained how lucrative those charter schools are. Bush has friends making a fortune off of the demise of public education, much like the oilfields of Iraq. The teachers and students are the ones getting screwed if the republicans are allowed to continue. When those fired teachers are offered those $15,000 per year jobs with no benefits they will leave education and guess what kind of teachers you'll wind up with? If they did this to medicine, which doctors would go to school to work for $15,000 a year and no benefits?

[rsoxfan1123]

The NCLB breaks all students into categories, white, black, Hispanic, special ed, ESL, etc. Each year the passing percentage requirement for the exam is increased in all categories, so by 2014 ALL categories must be 100% passing, including special ed Spanish speaking first kids. If even ONE student fails, the school is labeled failing and teachers are fired, administrators fired and the school must pay to have the students sent to the charter school of the parent's choice. If even ONE kid blows the test off and doesn%u2019t care about it, the entire school is labeled %u201Cfailing%u201D. Those teachers that lose their jobs may be rehired by charter schools which will drop their income from say $25,000-$30,000 per year to $15,000 and take away all of their medical benefits. Soon, no one with a half a brain will major in education in college. The NCLB will completely destroy public education and the charter schools are becoming a lucrative business for Bush's friends. Ask anyone in education about the things I have just written and they will confirm every word of it.

[rsoxfan1123]

No I'm not spamming. I noticed one mistake and so I edited what I wrote and reposted.

The NCLB breaks all students into categories, white, black, Hispanic, special ed, ESL, etc. Each year the passing percentage requirement for the exam is increased in all categories, so by 2014 ALL categories must be 100% passing, including special ed Spanish speaking first kids. If even ONE student fails, the school is labeled failing and teachers are fired, administrators fired and the school must pay to have the students sent to the nearest charter school. If even ONE kid blows the test off and doesn%u2019t care about it, the entire school is labeled %u201Cfailing%u201D. Those teachers that lose their jobs may be rehired by charter schools which will drop their income from say $25,000-$30,000 per year to $15,000 and take away all of their medical benefits. Soon, no one with a half a brain will major in education in college. The NCLB will completely destroy public education and the charter schools are becoming a lucrative business for Bush's friends. Ask anyone in education about the things I have just written and they will confirm every word of it.

[cmp271]

NCLB has to go, it lowers standards in schools and labels many excellent schools as failures. It also was a Democrat idea, not Republican, so put the blame where it belongs.

We need to go back to how we were 35 years ago. Maybe then teachers will get the respect they deserve. Now if they would just dress to look more professional it would be much better. Then maybe they will be taken seriously!!!

[j0hnwi11iams]

NCLB is a LOSER. It invests way too much money in testing. It replaces the intelligence of parents and teachers with some STUPID market model under the guise that it will give parents more "choice". What parents want is VOICE. That is exactly what NCLB STOLE from us.

[rsoxfan1123]

It also was a Democrat idea, not Republican, so put the blame where it belongs.
Posted by cmp271

That is a lie, but whatever you need to believe to help get rid of it. Bush used the exact same system when he was governor of texas but he didn't have the authority to destroy public education like he does now. He called it the TAAS (Texas Assessment of Academic Skills)testing system.

[rsoxfan1123]

The NCLB breaks all students into categories, white, black, Hispanic, special ed, ESL, etc. Each year the passing percentage requirement for the exam is increased in all categories, so by 2014 ALL categories must be 100% passing, including special ed Spanish speaking first kids. If even ONE student fails, the school is labeled failing and teachers are fired, administrators fired and the school must pay to have the students sent to the nearest charter school. If even ONE kid blows the test off and doesn%u2019t care about it, the entire school is labeled %u201Cfailing%u201D. Those teachers that lose their jobs may be rehired by charter schools which will drop their income from say $25,000-$30,000 per year to $15,000 and take away all of their medical benefits. Soon, no one with a half a brain will major in education in college. The NCLB will completely destroy public education and the charter schools are becoming a lucrative business for Bush's friends. Ask anyone in education about the things I have just written and they will confirm every word of it.

[randalds]

We need to go back to how we were 35 years ago. Maybe then teachers will get the respect they deserve. Now if they would just dress to look more professional it would be much better. Then maybe they will be taken seriously!!!
Posted by cmp271 at 01:51 PM : Apr 13, 2007


I was in High School 37 years ago and the best teachers I had there were Mr. Aten (math) who dressed in jeans and no tie and Mr Markusik, who looked like George Carlin in his early days. Beard, jeans, t-shirt and a Fu Manchu. Great teachers! We respected them because they knew what they were talking about, not because they dressed like we did (though that did help). ;-).

[homespunlady]

Glad I'm independent. Noticed memorize mentioned his sister started homeschooling. Good. It is one of the fastest growing social changes this nation doesn't notice. Up to 7 percent per some studies.
My daughter's been homeschooled for several years My reasons had to do with a serious lack of education at the local district and safety. I had teachers admitting that being 2 or more grade levels behind was "AVERAGE" for that school since they taught "TO THE LOWEST LEVEL". Not only that but she was being terrorized by an adult at the school and 4 months of complaints, documented proof and finally serious consideration left me with NO OTHER CHOICE.
She has had a chance to learn in a way several of our founding fathers have and although I had reservations, I'm extremely glad of that choice. She would not be the outstanding, intelligent, self-reliant, well balanced person she is If she had stayed.

CHILDREN ARE NOT FACTORY PARTS THAT CAN BE MEASURED BY SOME MECHANICAL STANDARDIZATION LEVEL. Although the "public schools" in a private enclave area with million dollar homes may understand that, most low income, low property value and rural schools do not.
The "low wages for teachers" being threatened are actually pretty good here. This "public school" starts as babysitting service then holding pens for future unwed mothers and juvenile offenders. I've been surprised when a few months go by without another "incident" making the news there.

[homespunlady]

Sorry, the spell checker turned me4prezz into memorize.

[homespunlady]

Society has changed and the "public school" concept is an anachronism of the industrial age.
Trying the same old tired "standardized test" threats and expecting different results is insanity.
Ultimately, schooling in America will have to evolve. Whether it is Public, Charter, Private, Homeschool or a combination of those which is what I foresee, the one size fits all idea never really worked and will have to go.
People are different, employment and societal needs are different, those needs change and so should our educational system.

[randalds]

Sorry, the spell checker turned me4prezz into memorize.
Posted by homespunlady at 09:17 PM : Apr 13, 2007

Don't be sorry, maybe she liked it? lol