State Superintendent's Web Message Archive

Reauthorization of NCLB: Accountability That Makes Sense

Raising achievement for all students and closing achievement gaps between economically disadvantaged students, students of color, and their peers must be our No. 1 priority in Wisconsin. We must ensure that every child, no matter the economic or educational level of their parents, race, ethnicity, what language they speak at home, or where they live in our state, is prepared with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the 21st century interconnected world.

This is more than an education issue. It is a moral and social justice issue. It is an economic imperative for our state and nation as well. This is the intent of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as No Child Left Behind (NCLB), which must continue to guide reauthorization of the law.

A federal education law is only as effective as its credibility at the local level. Parents, educators, and the public are committed to the intent of NCLB, but are distracted by its complexity and burdensome requirements. One of the 10 sections of the law has more than 600 requirements. The greatest problem for most people with NCLB is that they feel it is a punitive law more concerned with sanctions and labels for schools than on helping all children learn.

NCLB mandates how states and local school districts are held accountable for student achievement in reading and mathematics on statewide, standardized tests. But, Wisconsin citizens expect more than just good test-takers. A child is more than a test score. A quality education is one that addresses the social, cognitive, emotional, and physical needs of diverse learners. To truly "leave no child behind," parents, educators, and communities must be supported through the law as they come together around the responsibility to ensure a quality education for every child.

While state standardized tests have a role in accountability, they are not adequate in providing parents a clear picture of how well schools are doing, and the current law does not recognize student growth in achievement from year to year. In the reauthorization of NCLB, multiple measures of student achievement, which are determined to be valid and reliable, should be allowed to enhance accountability and give an accurate and fair account of school progress. The reauthorized NCLB must encourage innovation without reducing accountability for results. The reauthorized NCLB must not only collect data, but also empower states and local communities to use research-based and data-informed best teaching practices to support low-performing schools and struggling students. The federal government has the responsibility to fully fund a reauthorized NCLB to truly impact improvement for students no matter where their schools are located.

Our American democracy will be defined in the 21st century by how successful we are in providing a quality education for every child. NCLB must set a high standard by allowing states and local school districts to move beyond "no child left behind" to every child a graduate prepared to apply knowledge and 21st century skills. Congress has the opportunity through reauthorization of NCLB to strengthen public education in our country by moving from overly prescriptive compliance to community-based innovation and accountability that makes sense in transforming America's PK-12 educational system.

October 15, 2007 -- Return to message archive index

For questions about this information, contact Debra A. Bougie (608) 266-1598

Last updated on 2/26/2008 10:38:37 AM