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Subcategory: Federal Legislation
Changes Urged in Rules for Federal Innovation Aid
Nov 20 2009 - Education Week
As the U.S. Department of Education prepares final rules for the $650 million Investing in Innovation Fund, officials face strong concerns from school districts and philanthropies that requiring matching funds from the private sector is unworkable and would turn foundations into the gatekeepers for these federal grants.
Rules Set for $4 Billion 'Race to Top' Contest
Nov 13 2009 - Education Week
For a good shot at the $4 billion in grants from the federal Race to the Top Fund, states will need to make a persuasive case for their education reform agenda, demonstrate significant buy-in from local school districts, and develop plans to evaluate teachers and principals based on student performance.
Election Offers Varied Impact for Education
Nov 5 2009 - Education Week (requires registration)
The results from Tuesday's state and local elections around the country offer some potentially significant implications for K-12 education, as voters sent two big-city mayors with authority over their school systems back for another term and replaced Democrats with Republicans in two governors' mansions.
Race to the Top Education Grant Propels Reforms
Nov 4 2009 - USA Today
It's relatively small by Washington standards, but the Obama administration's $4.35 billion carrot for schools is already leading states to adopt a handful of key reforms.
'Race to Top' Said to Lack Key Science
Oct 6 2009 - Education Week
In comments on the proposed federal guidelines for stimulus funds, some researchers say there's no evidence for the policies touted.
Latest Challenge in 'Race to Top': Find Review Team for Applicants
Sep 23 2009 - Education Week
The U.S. Department of Education is seeking 50 to 80 outside judges to help award $4 billion in Race to the Top Fund grants under the economic-stimulus program—job openings that demand both education policy expertise and a detached interest in the high-stakes education reform competition.
Obama Urges Investment in High-Tech Education
Sep 22 2009 - CNNMoney.com
President Obama on Monday pushed his plans to make the nation's economy more stable in the future by investing in education for high-tech industries. The president unveiled a new "innovation strategy" that builds on $100 billion of economic stimulus funds to support entrepreneurship, education, infrastructure, and other investments.
Tricky Road Ahead for Innovation Fund
Sep 11 2009 - Education Week
Federal education officials will face a variety of obstacles in running a $650 million innovation fund, from an expected flood of applications and concern about favoritism in picking winners, to skepticism about the government's ability to drive innovative change in education.
Kennedy Gone; Power Shuffles Likely on K–12
Aug 31 2009 - Education Week
The death of Senator Edward M. Kennedy leaves a void in the landscape of education politics, with no obvious heir to his leadership on K–12 issues in the U.S. Senate.
Heavy Lifting Ahead for 'Race to Top' Applications
Aug 17 2009 - Education Week
As states scramble to spend and report on millions of dollars of education stimulus funds already flowing their way, they face another daunting task if they want a shot at even more money: navigating the complex application process for $4 billion from the Race to the Top Fund.
Obama Hopes New GI Bill Will Produce More STEM Workers
Aug 5 2009 - ScienceInsider
President Barack Obama hopes that a new bill that will provide college tuition for veterans and other service members will boost the number of homegrown scientists and engineers in the United States. Called the Post-9/11 GI Bill, the legislation is a throwback to the first GI Bill enacted in the '40s, which allowed thousands of U.S. soldiers returning from World War II to get a college education.
Experts Hope Federal Funds Lead to Better Tests
Aug 5 2009 - Education Week
Race to the Top money could serve as a down payment for scaling up tests that would better measure critical thinking, experts say.
Senate Panel Rejects Bid to Further Boost TIF
Aug 3 2009 - Education Week
The U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee turned back a bipartisan effort Thursday to increase funding for the Teacher Incentive Fund by an extra $100 million, after overwhelmingly approving a bill for financing the U.S. Department of Education in fiscal 2010.
Obama to Unveil Guidelines for New Education Fund
Jul 24 2009 - The Wall Street Journal
Aiming to spark a new round of change in the nation's schools, President Obama is expected to tell states on Friday what they need to do to qualify for part of a $5 billion pool of new federal funding.
Federal Cooperation
Jul 17 2009 - Inside Higher Ed
The Education and Labor Departments, often at odds with one another, assure Senate subcommittee of their willingness to work together on reform of Workforce Investment Act.
Roberts: Supreme Court Not Setting School Rules
Jun 30 2009 - The Boston Globe
Don't look to the Supreme Court to set school rules, only to clarify them when officials have abdicated that responsibility, Chief Justice John Roberts said Saturday.
U.S. Push for Free Online Courses
Jun 29 2009 - Inside Higher Ed
Community colleges and high schools would receive federal funds to create free, online courses in a program that is in the final stages of being drafted by the Obama administration. The program is part of a series of efforts to help community colleges reach more students and to link basic skills education to job training.
Women Scientists Applauded on Title IX Anniversary
Jun 25 2009 - ScienceInsider
Women athletes and scientists marked the 37th anniversary of a U.S. law prohibiting discrimination against women in education at a White House event during which young women were urged to go for the gold.
The Schoolhouse Flunks
Jun 25 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
In a symbolic step to reconstitute No Child Left Behind, workers are disassembling a schoolhouse at the Education Department, where No Child Left Behind is slated for changes.
Ruling Extends Special-Education Funding
Jun 23 2009 - The Boston Globe
In a decision that could help disabled students get needed services and cost school districts millions of dollars, the Supreme Court ruled yesterday that parents of special-education students may seek government reimbursement for private school tuition, even if they have never received special-education services in public school.
War-Financing Bill to Include Expanded Education Benefits
Jun 12 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
The bill to finance continuing U.S. military operations in Iraq and Afghanistan includes a provision that extends the educational benefits of children of members of the military who die while on active duty.
Supreme Court to Address Meeting the Needs of Special-Education Students
Jun 3 2009 - The New York Times (requires free registration)
In a case with potential financial repercussions for school districts and families alike, the United States Supreme Court will soon decide when public schools must reimburse parents of special-education students for private-school tuition.
Large Districts to Use Stimulus for ELL Support
May 26 2009 - Education Week
t least four large urban school districts—Boston, New York City, St. Paul, Minn., and Seattle—plan to spend a significant amount of their federal economic-stimulus money to support or improve programs for English-language learners, a fast-growing group in U.S. schools.
New Rules on Stem Cells Threaten Current Research
May 26 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
When President Obama lifted restrictions on federal funding of human embryonic stem cell research in March, many scientists hailed the move as a long-awaited boost for one of the most promising fields of medical research. Since then, however, many proponents have concluded that the plan could have the opposite effect.
House Approves $6.4 Billion for Green Schools
May 15 2009 - The Boston Globe
The House on Thursday passed a multiyear school construction bill with the ambitious goals of producing hundreds of thousands of jobs, reducing energy consumption, and creating healthier, cleaner environments for the nation's schoolchildren.
NSF to Help Improve Academic Research Facilities
May 12 2009 - National Science Foundation
The National Science Foundation announced a new solicitation in a program to fund repairs and renovations at the nation's academic research facilities. The grant program is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, which designated $200 million for competitive grants as part of its Academic Research Infrastructure program.
Budget Outlines Funding for Teacher Merit Pay Programs
May 8 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
President Obama is seeking to add hundreds of millions for teacher merit pay programs, an investment in a reform that has often drawn criticism from teachers unions.
Obama Honors Ex-Detective as Teacher of the Year
May 1 2009 - USA Today
A special education teacher and former police officer was honored by President Barack Obama at the White House on Tuesday as the 2009 National Teacher of the Year.
Education Funds a Selling Point on Obama Budget
Apr 28 2009 - Education Week
As President Barack Obama works to build support for his fiscal 2010 budget blueprint, supporters—including some outside advocacy groups—are hoping to build support in key states by trumpeting the administration's plans to boost education funding.
Researcher Signals Approval of New Policy Direction by Naming a Lichen for Obama
Apr 17 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Kerry Knudsen, a researcher at the University of California at Riverside, likes what he hears from the White House concerning science these days. So when it came time to christen a new species of lichen he discovered, he seized the chance to honor President Obama.
US Schools Chief Says Kids Need More Class Time
Apr 8 2009 - Yahoo! News
American schoolchildren need to be in class more—six days a week, at least 11 months a year—if they are to compete with students abroad, Education Secretary Arne Duncan said Tuesday.
Proposed Revisions Ease Restrictions on Tutoring
Apr 6 2009 - Education Week
U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan announced plans to lift a ban on allowing underperforming school districts to serve as tutoring providers under the No Child Left Behind Act, and to grant reprieves from a school-choice-notification requirement issued last fall.
Duncan Vows to Deliver S.C. School Funds
Mar 27 2009 - USA Today
Education Secretary Arne Duncan plans to send South Carolina's public schools as much as $700 million in federal stimulus cash, despite the objections of Mark Sanford, its Republican governor.
Nevada Gov. Seeks to Avoid Stimulus Demand to Spend on Higher Ed
Mar 19 2009 - Inside Higher Ed
The governor of Nevada has asked the U.S. Education Department to exempt the state from a requirement that it restore several hundred million dollars in spending on higher education to claim its share of federal stimulus funds, the Las Vegas Sun reported.
Obama Says Public Schools Must Improve
Mar 11 2009 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
President Obama sharply criticized the nation's public schools yesterday, calling for changes that could reward good teachers and replace bad ones, increase spending, and establish uniform academic achievement standards in American education.
States May See Education Stimulus Money Soon
Mar 9 2009 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
Governors will be able to apply for 67%, or $32.5-billion, of the stabilization funds that the new stimulus law directs to the states for education programs by the end of March, the Department of Education announced over the weekend.
Obama Puts Spotlight on Education Deficit
Feb 25 2009 - Los Angeles Times
The president, in his first address to a joint session of Congress, said his administration would provide the support needed to give the U.S. the highest proportion of college graduates in the world by 2020. He said there was a vital need for Americans to complete more years of education if the nation is to compete globally.
Stimulus Package Gives Boost to School Technology
Feb 20 2009 - Education Week
The $787 billion stimulus bill, signed into law last week, includes $650 million for an existing educational technology program and opens additional opportunities to find money for such purposes as improved broadband access for rural schools and enhanced data-management systems.
Stimulus Gives Schools $142B—with Strings
Jan 21 2009 - USA Today
The USA's public schools stand to be the biggest winners in Congress' $825 billion economic stimulus plan unveiled last week. Schools are scheduled to receive nearly $142 billion over the next two years. But tucked into the proposal are a few surprises.
Research Gets Billions in House Recovery Plan
Jan 16 2009 - Science Insider
House Democrats unveiled an $825 billion plan to boost the U.S. economy that includes $10 billion for research and instrumentation and another $6 billion to modernize academic laboratories.
Raining Cannonballs on the "Fortress America" Mentality
Jan 8 2009 - ScienceInsider
Rules meant to protect the United States from sharing important scientific secrets with its enemies have created a thicket of red tape that is hindering the work of high-tech companies, scientists who want to collaborate with foreigners, and even efforts to equip U.S. soldiers with up-to-date weapons.
Obama Pledges Schools Upgrade in Stimulus Plan
Jan 2 2009 - USA Today
Barack Obama probably cannot fix every leaky roof and broken boiler in the nation's schools. But educators say his sweeping school modernization program—if he spends enough—could jump-start student achievement.
Chicago Schools Chief Is Obama’s Education Pick
Dec 16 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration)
Arne Duncan, the Chicago schools superintendent known for taking tough steps to improve schools while maintaining respectful relations with teachers and their unions, is President-elect Barack Obama’s choice as secretary of education, Democratic officials said Monday.
Stem-Cell Laws Affect Campus Research
Nov 13 2008 - eSchool News
Higher-education officials nationwide are anticipating a gradual thaw of President Bush's stem-cell policies aimed at restricting unfettered research, a week after Michigan voters approved a ballot measure that will loosen restrictions on embryonic stem-cell study at the state's research universities.
Most Ed Leaders Bullish on Obama's Win
Nov 6 2008 - eSchool News
For educators and millions of other Americans, Barack Obama's election as 44th president of the United States indicates that the nation is ready for change—in economic policy, in health care, and especially in education.
Debate Brings National Attention To D.C.'s School Reform Efforts
Oct 17 2008 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
The District's public charter schools and federally funded voucher program, which both figured prominently in a rare discussion of education at Wednesday night's presidential debate, are school reform vehicles that face distinctly different futures no matter who moves into the White House in January.
Voters in 13 States Will Cast Ballots in Referenda Related to Higher Education
Oct 9 2008 - Chronical of Higher Education
Among the 142 ballot measures that will be before voters in 33 states this November are 17 proposals in 13 states that would directly affect higher education.
Temporary Spending Bill Contains Billions in Earmarks for Colleges
Sep 29 2008 - Chronicle of Higher Education
Tucked into a spending bill that the U.S. Senate passed over the weekend are thousands of set-asides for pork-barrel projects, including many at colleges and universities. According to a tally by Taxpayers for Common Sense, a watchdog group, there are 2,321 earmarks totaling $6.6-billion in the bill, which would provide funds for three federal agencies in the 2009 fiscal year, while financing most others at this year’s levels until March.
Pressured, Schools Review Ties to Drug Firms
Sep 11 2008 - The Wall Street Journal
Some major universities are reviewing the way they handle funding from drug companies in the wake of criticism from Sen. Chuck Grassley, who is pressing the federal agency that controls government health-research money to get tougher on universities that don't disclose ties to the industry.
Obama Outlines Broad Plan for US Education
Sep 10 2008 - The Boston Globe
Senator Barack Obama outlined his plan to overhaul education yesterday, pledging to double federal funding for public charter schools, spend $500 million to upgrade school technology, and award merit pay for teachers, including higher salaries for math and science instructors.
Outdoor Educators Pushing for "No Child Left Inside" Funding
Aug 11 2008 - USA Today
Outdoor and environmental educators across the nation are ramping up pressure on Congress and their state lawmakers to add funding for nature learning. The effort dubbed "No Child Left Inside" could mean millions more for environmental education—and a major windfall for nonprofits hoping for more federal help getting kids outside.
City Leaders Back Stronger Accountability
Jul 29 2008 - Education Week (requires free registration)
In the debate over the future of the No Child Left Behind Act, many educators say the federal government should ease the law’s accountability requirements by setting achievable goals and imposing reasonable sanctions on schools that don’t meet them. But urban leaders, whose schools are most likely to struggle to reach the law’s current goals and most apt to face such sanctions, are urging Congress to be more aggressive in holding their schools accountable in the future.
A New Frontier for Title IX: Science
Jul 28 2008 - The New York Times (requires free registration)
Until recently, the impact of Title IX, the law forbidding sexual discrimination in education, has been limited mostly to sports. But now, under pressure from Congress, some federal agencies have quietly picked a new target: science. The National Science Foundation, NASA, and the Department of Energy have set up programs to look for sexual discrimination at universities receiving federal grants.
Senate Panel Also Votes to Kill Funds for 'Reading First'
Jun 27 2008 - Education Week
A Senate Appropriations subcommittee voted to eliminate all funding for the Reading First program, as part of a fiscal 2009 spending bill that would provide modest increases for other education programs.
Test Results Improve after 'No Child' Law, Study Finds
Jun 26 2008 - The Washington Post (requires free registration)
Students are performing better on state reading and math tests since enactment of the landmark No Child Left Behind law six years ago, according to an independent study. The report's authors cautioned that the boost could not be attributed directly to the federal law and said the improvements also might reflect state and local reforms.
Senate Panel Endorses 14% Budget Increase for NSF
Jun 19 2008 - The Chronicle of Higher Education
The Senate Appropriations subcommittee agreed to give the National Science Foundation the same 14-percent budget increase for 2009 that its counterpart in the House of Representatives approved last week. Under the legislation, the NSF would get $6.9-billion for the 2009 fiscal year, 13.67% more than in 2008. Within that budget, $790-million would go to the science foundation's education programs, while $5.6-billion would be used for research grants.
Top Students Said to Stagnate under NCLB
Jun 19 2008 - Education Week
While the nation’s poorest-performing students have made academic progress under the federal No Child Left Behind Act, the brightest students appear to be languishing for lack of attention, according to a report released yesterday by a Washington think tank.
House Approves Funds for 'Green' Schools
Jun 9 2008 - Lexington Herald-Leader
The U.S. House of Representatives on June 4 committed more than $20 billion over the next five years to help states build and renovate schools to make them more energy-efficient and good for the environment. The legislation passed 250-164 and now must be considered by the Senate.
Half of States' Schools Face Steep Achievement Requirements
May 20 2008 - USA Today
The federal No Child Left Behind law says that by the 2013-14 school year all students must pass state tests in these subjects. About half of the states have steady annual goals for increasing the percentage of students passing, or working at their proper grade level. But the other half set the bar very low early on, and starting about now expect big annual achievement gains, according to a report being released Tuesday by the nonpartisan Center on Education Policy.But it's unlikely that states that took that approach can make the kind of gains expected.
Judge Dismisses Connecticut's NCLB Lawsuit
Apr 30 2008 - eSchool News
A federal judge has dismissed the last of four claims in Connecticut's challenge to the federal No Child Left Behind law, the Associated Press reports. Connecticut in 2005 became the first state to sue over the law's testing requirements, saying it is unconstitutional because expenses outweigh federal reimbursements.
State Tests Not All OK Under Law
Apr 2 2008 - Education Week
Six years after the No Child Left Behind Act became law, many states still haven't completed one of its most important tasks: establishing a testing system that meets the law's requirement that they track all students' progress toward proficiency in reading and math.
Feds Take On Dropout Crisis
Apr 2 2008 - eSchool News
The Bush administration on April 1 announced that it will require states and school systems to report high school graduation rates in a uniform way, instead of using a variety of methods that critics say are often based on unreliable information.
Bush Budget Proposes Level Funding of Education Department
Feb 5 2008 - Education Week (requires free registration)
The U.S. Department of Education's overall budget would remain stagnant at $59.2 billion under a fiscal year 2009 proposal released by President Bush that includes a modest boost for Title I grants to school districts, the main funding vehicle for implementing the No Child Left Behind Act. Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings linked the proposed Title I increase with the renewal of the six-year-old NCLB law, which is pending in Congress. But Rep. George Miller, D-Calif., the chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, said the proposed $14.3 billion for Title I grants, a 2.9% increase over fiscal 2008, was not sufficient to help schools meet the goals of the law.
Unions Take Own Paths in Election
Jan 29 2008 - Education Week (free registration required)
The National Education Association is ready to spend $40 million this election year. But it isn't ready to endorse a candidate for president. The American Federation Teachers, by contrast, is working aggressively for U.S. Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton of New York, who represents the home state of more than a third of the union's 1.3 million members. The union isn't united, though: Its Illinois affiliate and the Chicago local are recruiting volunteers for their state's favorite son, U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, Sen. Clinton's chief rival for the Democratic nomination. Meanwhile, the 3.2 million-member NEA’s state affiliates are making their own decisions. Some are endorsing candidates, including the Illinois Education Association-NEA, which is backing Sen. Obama. Several affiliates have remained neutral but seen their leaders make personal endorsements, all among Democrats. While both national teachers' unions are using different tactics, they are each making decisions that will ensure they have clout in the long run, one union observer said.
The Next No Child Left Behind Act
May 24 2007 - New America Foundation
Experts say the federal government should regard the upcoming reauthorization of the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) as an opportunity to expand access to high-quality, early education programs. Stakeholders also said they would like to see higher standards in teacher quality, salaries for early childhood educators that align with what their K-12 colleagues receive, and more consistency across the country in the curricula of early education programs.
Senate Passes Bill to Keep U.S. Competitive in Math, Science
Apr 27 2007 - CNN/Associated Press
The Senate has voted to authorize an additional $16 billion for math and science programs over the next four years to keep the nation in the forefront of technology breakthroughs.
Bush to Seek Renewal of Education Law
Jan 5 2007 - CBS News
Monday is the day the Bush administration is commemorating the fifth anniversary of what is widely considered the most significant federal education law in decades. Education Secretary Margaret Spellings, in an interview with The Associated Press on Wednesday, said she was optimistic the law would be renewed for five more years. She said it is a natural issue on which Bush and Democrats, who won control of Congress in November, can come together.
U.S. Bill Would Require Student Search Policies
Sep 21 2006 - Courier Journal (Louisville, Kentucky)
A National Education Association-endorsed bill that passed the U.S. House would require schools to develop search policies that balance individual rights while protecting teachers from liability. The American Civil Liberties Union and American Federation of Teachers oppose the bill out of fear it could result in unconstitutional searches.
Congress Urged to Help Women in Science
May 11 2005 - New York Times (Requires free registration)
A letter to be presented to two lawmakers today says Congress should work to break down barriers that make it harder for women to fully participate in mathematics, engineering, and other hard sciences. The letter states that a recent controversy sparked by Harvard University President Lawrence Summers “has helped shed light on the persistent under representation of women in these important fields…”
NEA Chief Confident on 'No Child' Lawsuit
Apr 29 2005 - Kansas City Star (Requires free registration)
The president of the National Education Association is confident that his group will prevail in its lawsuit against the federal government. The suit alleges that the government has failed to fully fund the No Child Left Behind Act, which requires that students perform at grade level in reading, math, and science by 2014. Reg Weaver said that the law’s language is “very clear,” adding “if the federal government issues regulations and mandates, then it has the obligation to fund them.”
Education Secretary Praises Bush Plan
Feb 25 2005 - San Diego Union-Tribune
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings is praising the No Child Left Behind Act, after a poor review of the federal law by state legislators. The National Conference of State Legislatures released a report Feb. 23 criticizing the law, saying it established unrealistic expectations and confusing measures for rating schools. Spellings says Bush’s plans to extend the law to high schools “makes sense.” Spellings also explained that high schools are “ripe for reforms,” noting the nation’s secondary education system has not changed in many years.
'No Child' Expansion Likely to Face Trouble
Feb 10 2005 - USA Today
Lawmakers and observers say President Bush’s plan to expand the No Child Left Behind Act to high schools will likely face stiff opposition, even with a GOP-dominated Congress. Rep. Michael Castle of Delaware, who supports the law, said he hopes lawmakers will endorse the proposal, but commented “I can’t give chances as being very high at this time.” A spokeswoman for the Heritage Foundation noted that “many conservatives were disappointed when the law took shape in 2001 without private school vouchers or greater flexibility for how school districts can spend money.”
States Revive Efforts to Coax NCLB Changes
Feb 2 2005 - Education Week
Several states are testing the new education secretary’s pledge to carry out the No Child Left Behind Act in a “sensible and workable” way. Connecticut’s commissioner of education is asking Margaret Spellings for greater flexibility in six areas of the law including testing. The Virginia Board of Education wants Spellings to exercise her authority to waive the law’s statutory and regulatory requirements in 10 areas, despite previous rejections by the Education Department. Lawmakers in seven other states have also introduced bills challenging various aspects of the law.
Suits May Target No Child Left Behind Act
Nov 1 2004 - Atlanta Journal-Constitution
With the No Child Left Behind Act imposing costly penalties for schools that fail to meet academic standards, educators nationwide are expecting a series of lawsuits aimed at avoiding the sanctions imposed by the law. Pennsylvania’s Reading School District filed suit in December 2003 over its low performance rating, claiming its Spanish-speaking students couldn’t read the tests. The Coachella Valley Unified School District in California says its considering suing federal and state governments because it’s being held to “unreachable goals.”
Groups Offer Changes for School Law
Oct 27 2004 - Education Week
Education, civil rights, and other groups are forming a coalition in an effort to have central provisions of the No Child Left Behind Act rewritten. “Overall, the law’s emphasis needs to shift from applying sanctions for failing to raise test scores to holding states and localities accountable for making the systematic changes that improve student achievement,” the groups said in a statement. This announcement comes just weeks after five other groups representing educators, civil rights advocates, and businesses formed an alliance to support the law and promote a better understanding of its provisions.
Education Law Deemed No Mandate
Jun 1 2004 - The Washington Times
The General Accounting Office, the investigative arm of Congress, has deemed that the No Child Left Behind Act is not a mandated financial burden on states. Education Secretary Rod Paige has praised the ruling, noting “the chorus of the ‘unfunded mandate’ has now been exposed for exactly what it is, a red herring trying to take focus off the true subject at hand: changing the way we do things so that every child in America is a provided a quality education, regardless of his or her skin color, spoken accent, or street address.” A spokesman for the group People for the American Way described Paige’s response as “irresponsible.”
Math, Science Grants In Federal Cross Hairs
Feb 11 2004 - Education Week (requires free registration)
The White House recommended last week stripping $140 million for math and science education research away from the National Science Foundation and giving it to the US Department of Education. Critics charge this allows the Bush administration to set the research agenda for how those subjects are taught in the nation's classrooms. "They would be the ones making decisions on grants," said Jodi Peterson, the director of legislative affairs for the National Science Teachers Association (NSTA). In addition, with its emphasis on math, the proposal will leave science out of the loop, according to Gerald Wheeler, NSTA's executive director. The change "will almost guarantee that science cannot be adequately addressed by the math- and science-partnership programs."
"No Child" Called Impractical
Feb 10 2004 - Richmond Times-Dispatch
A study by Harvard University's Civil Rights Project concludes that, while the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has the noble goal of having all children succeed in school, it seeks to get there in impractical ways. The study's four reports examine how the law has played out at the federal, state and local levels. "The reality for too many public educators is confusion and frustration as No Child Left Behind is leaving too many children - and teachers - behind," said Gary Orfield, the project's co-director, in a statement accompanying the study. [Click here for links to the full text of the reports.]
Va. Seeks To Leave Bush Law Behind
Jan 26 2004 - Washington Post
The Republican-controlled Virginia House of Delegates has called the No Child Left Behind Act an unfunded mandate that threatens to undermine the state's own efforts to improve students' performance. By a vote of 98 to 1, the House passed a resolution on January 23 calling on Congress to exempt states like Virginia from the program's requirements. The law "represents the most sweeping intrusions into state and local control of education in the history of the United States," the resolution says, and will cost "literally millions of dollars that Virginia does not have."
NSTA WebNews Analysis: No Child Left Behind Act
Dec 31 2003 - NSTA - Kristin Collins
The No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act has generated plenty of discussion and several myths in recent months. Signed into law by President Bush in 2002, the federal education reform bill aims to improve student achievement in public schools through assessment and accountability provisions, teacher quality requirements, and other mandates. Many lawmakers, educators, and political candidates have voiced opposition to the law, claiming it's so flawed that Congress needs to change it. Others have urged lawmakers to resist pressure to scale back the laws accountability provisions.
States Voice Doubts about Federal Education Law
Dec 11 2003 - CNN.com
With penalties looming for poorly performing schools, state legislators on Wednesday discussed how to cope with the financial burdens and testing requirements created by No Child Left Behind (NCLB). A Republican state senator from Kansas questioned the law's goals of ensuring that all students meet new standards by 2014, particularly when it comes to students with developmental disabilities or poor English skills. Lest some think NCLB merely intended to raise goals, not mandate 100% success, an Education Department spokesperson noted: "We're very serious when we say all kids."
Gains in Houston Schools: How Real Are They?
Dec 3 2003 - New York Times (requires registration)
The so-called "Houston Miracle" may have been less miraculous than originally thought. In fact, performance there may have been about the same as in other areas of the country. Texas has trumpeted the academic gains of millions of students largely on the basis of a state test, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills. The education law signed by President Bush in January 2002, No Child Left Behind, gives public schools 12 years to match Houston's success and bring virtually all children to academic proficiency. But an examination of the performance of students in Houston by the New York Times raises doubts about the magnitude of those gains.
US Flunks Top Metro [Detroit] Schools
Nov 30 2003 - Detroit News
More grumbling about No Child Left Behind (NCLB) has become audible in the Detroit area, where a school praised by President Bush in May has found itself listed in the "failing" category, according to NCLB calculations. That school is not alone, and many school districts are diving back into their data, hoping to prune the thicket of numbers into a more positive result. "We will see some of the best schools in Michigan on the list," said David Plank, co-director of Michigan State University's Education Policy Center, which provides nonpartisan analysis of education issues. "It's a guarantee." [See also this story]
Utah is Behind on New Ed Rules
Nov 21 2003 - Salt Lake Tribune
Like many states around the country, Utah is suffering from the "Nickleby Blues" (Nickleby = NCLB = No Child Left Behind). Utah education officials acknowledged they will not be able to meet all the requirements of the sweeping federal law that holds schools accountable for improving student achievement. The deficiency could land the state in hot water with the US Department of Education.
On Trail, It's Dean vs. No Child Left Behind Act
Nov 12 2003 - Education Week
Democratic presidential aspirant Howard Dean isn't shy about voicing his opposition to the No Child Left Behind Act. "Anybody here from a school board?" Dean asked a group gathered at a technical college in October. "School boards call it 'No School Board Left Standing.' ... Teachers call it 'No Behind Left.'" If elected, Dean promises to "dismantle" the bulk of the No Child Left Behind Act, one of President Bush's most prized domestic-policy accomplishments.
No Child Left Behind Act: Facts and Fiction
Nov 11 2003 - Washington Post
The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) has generated plenty of discussion and, this writer asserts, quite a few myths. Is the federal government spending more on education and giving local schools resources they never had? Is the law's goal of 100 percent student proficiency in reading and math by 2014 even possible? Answers are provided to these and eight other questions - or, given the controversial (and complex) nature of NCLB, is it just more ammo for one side or the other?
School Tests Stir Backlash
May 19 2003 - Minneapolis Star Tribune
Four U.S senators are promoting a bill that would allow states and school districts to seek waivers from the requirements imposed by No Child Left Behind. States and school districts would qualify for a waiver under the Student Flexibility Act of 2003 if they demonstrate they have closed the achievement gap among groups of students or they have exceeded their progress goals for two or more consecutive years. The National PTA has endorsed the bill while the Bush administration opposes the measure.
Federal School Act a Possible Litigation Magnet
Feb 13 2003 - Times Union (Albany, NY)
Education experts fear the No Child Left Behind Act might be nicknamed “No Lawyer Left Behind” if the law generates a series of lawsuits from parents who want to sue their school districts. Prospective litigants in three states and the nation’s capitol have contacted the office of Charlie King, a New York City lawyer. King recently filed suit against two school systems claiming they failed to properly notify parents that their children were in poor performing schools and had the right to transfer or seek academic help. The federal law requires schools to give students the option to transfer to another school and seek tutoring.
Federal Law Poses Costly Education Questions
Jan 13 2003 - The Minneapolis Star Tribune
Several states including Minnesota are struggling with how to comply with the No Child Left Behind Act, the new federal education law. Minnesota education officials have approved an accountability plan to comply with the law, but remain critical of the new measure saying its requirements for improving student achievement will be “impossible to reach.” Gov. Tim Pawlenty says he’s confident Minnesota will be able to meet the requirements of the law.
Education Law Reaches Milestone Amid Discord
Jan 8 2003 - The Washington Post
Today marks the one-year anniversary of the No Child Left Behind Act, the education reform bill signed into law by President Bush in 2002. Though it has existed for a year, the bipartisan cooperation that played a role in the bill’s passage has disappeared. Congressional Democrats argue the bill will fail without increased funding while state education officials complain the law’s requirements for measuring school success will leave the majority of the nation’s schools being labeled as poor performers.
President Signs the National Science Foundation Reauthorization Act
Dec 27 2002 - National Science Foundation
Last week President Bush signed into law a five-year reauthorization bill for the National Science Foundation (NSF) granting NSF funding increases from its current $4.79 billion in fiscal 2002 to $9.84 billion in fiscal 2007. The act contains portions of legislation previously passed by the House, including the Math and Science Partnerships Act. The reauthorization also provides authority for NSF to establish Centers for Research on Mathematics and Science Learning and Education Improvement. Each center will focus on a different challenge faced by elementary and secondary math and science teachers.
States Revise the Meaning of "Proficient"
Oct 9 2002 - Education Week
A number of states appear to be easing their standards for what it means to be "proficient" in reading and math because of pressures to comply with No Child Left Behind, the new federal law requiring states to ensure that all students are proficient on state tests in those subjects within 12 years. Some observers say the changes in these states show that it is likely other states will also take advantage of the latitude the law has given them to define for themselves what constitutes proficiency. Congress didn't define the term and didn't give the U.S. Department of Education any enforcement powers over states that might be perceived as watering down their standards to meet the new requirements.
Entrepreneurs Grab the Chance To Build Careers, Help Schools
Oct 8 2002 - Washington Post
Many careers are being spawned, others redirected by the federal No Child Left Behind law. This article profiles several innovators who are developing standards-management systems in support of the testing and accountability requirements of the new law.
Grant to Boost Math, Science Programs
Oct 7 2002 - Cleveland Plain Dealer
The National Science Foundation has given the Cleveland School District one of 24 awards totaling $240 million as part of a new Math and Science Partnership program, borne out of President Bush's No Child Left Behind law. A spokesperson said it will be a key to strengthening the knowledge base of the district's math and science teachers. The Cleveland Mathematics and Science Partnership will create connections with three local universities, offering courses and workshops primarily to teachers in grades six through eight. Former NSTA board member Bill Badders will be director of the partnership.
Federal Law Ignites Evolution Debate
Sep 16 2002 - Cleveland Plain Dealer
Ohio has become the first state to try to take advantage of the "Santorum amendment," which suggested that when teaching biological science, the curriculum "should help students understand why the subject generates so much continuing controversy." Although Darwinian evolution is not considered "controversial" by the 100 scientific societies that weighed in on it, the amendment was intended to allow teachers to bring "intelligent design" and other concepts into the science classroom. It was removed by the conference committee that reconciled the versions of the No Child Left Behind Act passed by the House and Senate. The "amendment" then evolved into an "explanatory statement" in the conference report. Two Ohio representatives have claimed "the Santorum language is now part of the law" and warn that controversies surrounding Darwin's theory of evolution should not be "censored." A law professor disagrees: "The Santorum language is not law - it is legislative history." Law or not, it is being used as ammunition.
Failing Schools Find Hole in Federal Education Law
Aug 29 2002 - Washington Post
The No Child Left Behind law was designed to mandate serious consequences for failing schools, including giving students at such schools the right to transfer to higher-performing ones. But as the above article reports, because the law allows each state to set its own academic standards, failing-school designations often "say less about the quality of the schools than they do about the rigor of the educational standards set by each state." For instance, the law has already produced a strange circumstance this year whereby Michigan has listed 1,513 failing schools compared to Arkansas’s zero.
The bottom line: Experts fear that as long as states retain the power to define success and failure, the new law's impact will be severely limited.
Federal School Reform Stumbles
Aug 28 2002 - Chicago Tribune (requires free registration)
States' efforts to implement the No Child Left Behind law are running into major roadblocks, the above article reports, with two provisions in particular causing widespread difficulties. The first, which goes into effect this fall, gives students attending low-performing schools the right to transfer to better ones; the second requires that all teachers in high-poverty schools be "highly qualified" by 2005. Many state and local officials say such requirements are virtually impossible to meet, given school realities. What’s more, they claim that the feds have been slow to provide useful guidance. Critics, in turn, charge that school officials are dragging their feet, more concerned with maintaining the status quo than implementing the law. Who’s right? Click above, and see what both sides have to say.
Few Choosing Public School Choice for This Fall
Aug 8 2002 - Education Week
Under the "No Child Left Behind" Act, districts must offer students an alternative placement if the students' schools fail to make adequate yearly progress -- as defined by each state -- for two consecutive years. That provision kicks in this school year, with the U.S. Department of Education estimating that some 8,600 schools must offer school choice to their students. But as the above article reports, it appears that of the thousands of students who are eligible for a transfer this fall, only a small number will be making a switch. Why so few takers? Click above to find out more...
California, U.S. Feud Over "Highly Qualified" Teachers
Aug 7 2002 - San Francisco Chronicle
The "No Child Left Behind" law requires teachers in every state to be "highly qualified" -- meaning, at a minimum, fully credentialed -- by 2006. And starting this fall, new hires at schools receiving federal money for low-income children must already be "highly qualified." But according to the above article, the California Board of Education has given Washington a definition of "highly qualified" that falls short of these requirements, setting up a showdown between the state and the U.S. Department of Education (ED). California officials say the federal standard is unrealistic (if not impossible), given severe teacher shortages and the state's ongoing push to reduce class size. ED, meanwhile, is calling on California to revise its definition or face the possibility of losing some Title I funds. Click above for the San Francisco Chronicle article, or click here for a related article in the Los Angeles Times (requires free registration).
"No Child Left Behind" Act Offers New Professional Development Opportunities for Science Educators
Aug 6 2002 - NSTA Legislative Affairs
How can science educators benefit from the professional development opportunities that are available through the new federal education law? Click above for the latest guidance from the NSTA Legislative Affairs Department.
School "Excellence" Thrown a Grading Curve
Aug 6 2002 - USA Today
Under the new federal education law, more than 8,000 schools nationwide are considered "failing." But according to an analysis by USA Today, at least 19 of these "failing" schools have also been named "Blue Ribbon" schools of excellence by the U.S. Department of Education. How can the same school end up on both lists? As the above article reports, that's what many educators and parents are trying to figure out.
Frustration Grows as States Await "Adequate Yearly Progress" Advice
Jul 11 2002 - Education Week
Frustration is growing over the lack of federal guidance on how to implement the new ESEA law, particularly provisions relating to “annual yearly progress” (AYP) targets, the above article reports. The new law is much more prescriptive about how states set their AYP targets – which schools must meet to avoid penalties -- creating fears among states that 60 percent to 90 percent of all schools could be identified as “needing improvement” within a few years. The Department of Education has said that final guidelines would not be ready until late August, at best.
A Step Toward School Choice, Ready or Not
Jun 20 2002 - Christian Science Monitor
Under the new federal education law, schools districts must allow students to transfer out of "failing" schools, and they must pay for their transportation costs. But with the Bush administration pushing to implement that provision as soon as this fall, some observers are concerned that schools will be caught unprepared by the quick timetable. Likewise, others fear that the new parental choices could backfire by crowding successful schools and driving up class sizes.
Educators Prepare, Worry, Over Effect of Transfer Law
May 13 2002 - Washington Post
The new federal education act is clear: Schools districts must allow students to transfer out of "failing" schools, and they must pay for their transportation costs. But as education officials nationwide prepare to implement this provision, they face a growing list of questions, including: How many students will be eligible to transfer? How much space exists for students in better schools? Where will the money for transportation come from? And what will happen to the schools left behind? The above article takes a closer look...
Up to 5,000 Schools Expected to Face "Failing" Label
Apr 25 2002 - CNN -- AP
When the school year begins this fall, 3,000 to 5,000 schools nationwide probably will be declared "failing" by states, Undersecretary of Education Eugene Hickok told Congress this week. Moreover, under the new ESEA, students in failing schools will for the first time be eligible for federally paid tutoring or transportation to other public schools. In response to the briefing, some lawmakers expressed concerns over how schools will pay for the tutoring and transportation services, given their shrinking budgets and recent cuts to Bush's education budget. "I think we're going to have an ungodly disaster on our hands next fall," Sen. James Jeffords (I-Vermont) remarked.
Vermont May Reject Federal Education Aid
Apr 23 2002 - Rutland Herald -- AP
Vermont Gov. Howard Dean says he wants his state to consider rejecting $26 million in federal education money to escape the testing demands and other requirements attached to it. "It's going to be incredibly expensive and require us to do our work all over again," Dean said of the recently reauthorized ESEA law, which requires annual testing in grades 3-8. While critics have lodged similar complaints against the new ESEA, Vermont is the only state (to date) that has said it might refuse federal funds to opt out of the plan.
Stimulus Package Offers Tax Break to Help Teachers
Mar 20 2002 - Education Week
Under a new measure passed by Congress this month, teachers, their aides, principals, and counselors can take a federal tax deduction of up to $250 annually for out-of-pocket classroom expenses. Teachers on average spend about $400 of their own money each year on classroom supplies, the NEA estimates, and the measure is intended to offset at least some of those expenses. Still, many educators say that while they are appreciative of the tax break, it does little to tackle the underlying problems of poorly paid teachers, underfunded school districts, and a lack of supplies and resources. "It's better than nothing," one teacher said, "but we don't expect doctors to supply their own tools."
Bush, Democrats Divided Over Education Budget
Mar 15 2002 - Boston Globe
President Bush's proposed 2003 budget plan has split the bipartisan team that crafted this year's sweeping ESEA law, the above article reports. Specifically, Democrats and some education groups charge that the budget freezes or cuts funding for dozens of key education programs, including the teacher-quality program, which requires districts to have a "highly qualified" teacher in every classroom by the 2005-06 school year. "The Bush budget delivers a severe blow to education" that cuts "the heart of education reform," alleges Senator Edward M. Kennedy (D-MA). In response, the Bush administration contends that the budget is appropriate at a time when the war on terrorism is demanding a bigger chunk of federal dollars.
Education Department Looks for Balance Policing ESEA
Mar 14 2002 - Education Week
As the U.S. Department of Education (ED) seeks to translate the reauthorization of ESEA into reality, it faces a delicate balancing act: offering states and districts a proper measure of latitude without compromising core elements of the law, such as annual testing and demands for "highly qualified" teachers. "It's called tough love," said ED's assistant secretary for elementary and secondary education. "We really want to, where we can, be flexible...However, we are very clear about the importance of accountability for change and school improvement. We are here to enforce the law."
Teacher-Trainers Fear a Backfire from New ESEA
Mar 7 2002 - Education Week
The new education law (ESEA) demands that all K-12 teachers be "highly qualified" by 2005-2006. But as the above article explains, considerable confusion exists over exactly what "highly qualified" means. In fact, some observers fear that the requirement might actually backfire, in that it will tempt states (many of which are already facing teacher shortages) to "dumb down" existing licensing and certification procedures. "States may change their definitions of licenses," the dean of teacher education at CUNY said. "They may put a mirror under teachers' noses and, if it fogs, that means they're 'highly qualified.'"
Teacher Quality Takes Center Stage at White House
Mar 6 2002 - Washington Post, the White House, NEA
First Lady Laura Bush hosted the "White House Conference on Preparing Tomorrow's Teachers" yesterday, an event that brought together education experts to discuss strategies for enhancing teacher preparation and quality. Click here to read a Washington Post article on the conference. President Bush also delivered remarks at the meeting. He stressed that while the new education law expects a lot from teachers, "teachers have a right to expect certain things from us," including "support for their professional development." Not all have been pleased with the president's recent education proposals, however. Bob Chase, the head of the 2.6 million-member National Education Association, said yesterday that while he welcomes President Bush's attention to teacher quality, he is disappointed that the Administration's proposed 2003 budget actually reduces funding for that purpose. "Real reforms require resources," he said. Read NEA's press release.
Education Department Hints That States May Use Mix of Tests
Mar 1 2002 - San Francisco Chronicle -- AP
Draft regulations released Wednesday by the U.S. Education Department (ED) say states may use a combination of state and local tests, as well as customized and off-the-shelf tests, to meet the new education law's testing requirements. The move should come as good news to the nation's governors, who last week asked ED for flexibility in meeting some of the law's testing mandates (see previous story). An ED spokesperson said the draft guidelines will serve as a starting point for rule-making negotiations slated to take place over the next several weeks.
A "Proficient" Score Depends on Geography
Feb 22 2002 - Education Week
The new ESEA, signed by President Bush last month, requires states to set at least three performance levels -- basic, proficient, and advanced -- and to adhere to a strict timetable for bringing all students up to the proficient level by 2014. But what exactly does proficient mean? Given the wide variability that exists among states' standards and assessments, the answer seems to depend on where you live.
The Best Thing About Reform: It Won't Matter
Feb 19 2002 - The Washington Post
If history is any indicator, the greatest effect of the sweeping education law recently passed by Congress will be a new outburst of "creative noncompliance." That and the infusion of federal money into public education, which is good, this commentator says. "I have spent too much time watching effective teachers and principals struggle with clumsy federal and state rules to fret about lax enforcement. Schools are not going to succeed unless good people inside them do what works, and they will have to be as sly about rule-breaking as they have been in the past if the good intentions of No Child Left Behind are to be realized."
States Gear Up for New Federal Law
Jan 16 2002 - Education Week
Interviews by Education Week with officials in 45 states suggest that state leaders generally applaud the thrust of the newly reauthorized Elementary and Secondary Education Act--and they particularly welcome the billions of new dollars Congress has appropriated for education. But officials also have a number of questions and concerns, the interviews indicate, including worries over how much they will have to change their testing and accountability systems to comply with the law; whether the federal money set aside for the purpose of new tests is sufficient; and whether all teachers can be "highly qualified" in the subjects they teach by the 2005-2006 school year, as the law requires. To read more about states' reactions to the law, click the link above....
Math and Science Could Be Big Losers Under New Education Law
Jan 16 2002 - Education Week
The above article provides a good account of the implications of the newly reauthorized ESEA for science and math teachers. The law, signed by President Bush last week, effectively eliminates dedicated federal funding for K-12 math and science education, which last year totaled close to $400 million. As a result, math and science teachers will now have to compete for professional-development aid from a new $2.85 billion block grant, pitting them against teachers of other subjects and efforts to reduce class sizes. “From what we’ve seen, a lot of money is going to reading and math programs,” NSTA Legislative Affairs Director Jodi Peterson says in the article. “We’re seeing science squeezed out in elementary schools.”
More Mandates Than Money in Education Bill?
Jan 11 2002 - CNN.com
While the education bill recently signed by President Bush authorizes $26.5 billion in federal money for K-12 education next year, an $8 billion increase from this year, some school officials are expressing concerns that the funding may still not be sufficient to meet the law's new demands. These demands include testing all students in reading and math in grades 3-8 (and, later, science tests in three grades), an undertaking that one group estimates could cost states $7 billion over the next seven years. "Our concern is that, until we see the money, this is another unfunded mandate from Washington," one official said.
No Child Left Behind: What Does the New Law Mean?
Jan 9 2002 - NSTA
As reported yesterday, President Bush just signed a sweeping new education reform plan into law. But what does the law mean for schools and educators? Click above for a link to two U.S. Department of Education documents outlining the law's major provisions (including the math and science partnerships), as well as for a link to an Education Week article that examines the challenges presented by the legislation's extensive new testing requirements.
President Bush Signs Education Reform Law
Jan 8 2002 - NSTA
It's official. President Bush signed the landmark "No Child Left Behind Act" into law today. Click above to learn more. Also, stay tuned in coming days for a full analysis of the law by NSTA's Legislative Affairs Department, including a look at the new Math and Science Partnerships program, which was authorized under the act.
Federal Teacher Goal Is Blasted
Jan 4 2002 - Sacramento Bee
While supporters are hailing "No Child Left Behind" as the most meaningful federal education reform in decades, critics say one crucial aspect of the legislation is nothing more than a pipe dream: the requirement that all teachers be fully credentialed within four years. "It's fantasy legislation. It's not going to happen," says Wayne Johnson, president of the California Teachers Association, noting that severe teacher shortages already exist in many parts of the state. Still, Rep. George Miller (D-CA), a key backer of the bill, says the legislation is dead serious about effecting change and provides increased resources to help states succeed.
Opinion: We Risk the Future by Failing to Fund Education in Science
Dec 31 2001 - Arizona Republic
In the above op-ed, Intel CEO Craig Barrett and former Sen. John Glenn express regret that while the recently passed No Child Left Behind education bill calls for $450 million to be spent on math and science education, congressional appropriators approved only $12.5 million for these subjects (read also NSTA's Dec. 19 legislative alert). "That amount will hardly create a ripple of change, let alone the wave that the [recent NAEP science] results show we so desperately need," contend Barrett and Glenn, who argue that a far greater federal commitment is needed to substantially improve science teaching and education across the nation.
California Being Pressured on Teacher Credentials
Dec 27 2001 - San Francisco Chronicle
No Child Left Behind, the federal education reform bill recently approved by Congress, requires states to ensure that all teachers are fully qualified to teach in four years. However, as teacher shortages grow in some states--such as California, where 14 percent of public school teachers did not have a preliminary teaching credential last year--some are wondering whether Congress may have set an unattainable goal.
Opinion: The Pitfalls of Annual Testing
Dec 27 2001 - Christian Science Monitor
Clifford Hill, a professor of language and education at Columbia University, expresses concern in this op-ed over the new federal education bill's mandate that students in grades 3-8 be tested annually in reading and math. "The appropriated funding [for annual testing] is far from adequate," he argues, adding that the "history of testing teaches a clear lesson: If enough money is not available, testing is done on the cheap and children are the losers."
Teachers Fear Funding Cut for Training in Sciences
Dec 26 2001 - Arizona Republic
As reported last week, the recently approved federal education reform bill slashed dedicated funding for math and science education to $12.5 million. (Click here to read a recent NSTA legislative alert on this matter.) Although it is too early to predict exactly what this cut will mean for individual schools and classrooms, the above article reports that some science teachers in Arizona are worried that the bill will leave them without sufficient funds for professional development. While the state and local school boards could still put federal block grant money toward science training, the article says, it is feared that funding once set aside for science will now go to "higher priority" areas (such as reading, writing, and math) that are addressed in state tests (science is not currently tested).
Long Road to Reform: Negotiators Forge Education Legislation
Dec 17 2001 - Washington Post
After months of negotiations, a bill that is being called the most important piece of federal education legislation in 35 years is on the brink of becoming law. (Last week, the House passed the final version by a 381 to 41 margin, with the Senate expected to vote this week.) But how did the landmark legislation manage to survive intensive lobbying pressures from competing interest groups, deep political rivalries among key members of Congress, and the outbreak of a war on terrorism? In the article above, veteran political reporter David Broder chronicles the long road to reform.
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