My Controversy

Ponton, Kelsi. "'No Child Left Behind Behind Act' controversy" The Captains Log. N.p., 13 Mar. 2013. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.

Klein, Alyson. "No Child Left Behind Overview: Definitions, Requirements, Criticisms, and More." Education Week. N.p., 10 Apr. 2015. Web. 29 Aug. 2015.

Our education system is always shifting and changing based upon what the society needs it to be. In 2001, President George W. Bush put into action the "No Child Left Behind Act" that was intended to better the school systems by making standardized testing mandatory for states. 

This would make each state responsible for their education system. But, even though Congress recently signed off on this bill again (with modifications because of so many schools not meeting their necessary standards), people are still questioning whether or not this act should be in place. When there becomes a test to standardize levels, it influences they way information is taught and can put more emphasis on the actual exam rather than the goal of learning the information and being able to use it for the rest of your life. 

The first article, "'No Child Left Behind Act' Controversy" talks more about the controversy and different points of view on the topic, while the second article, "No Child Left Behind: An Overview" gives more information on the actual Act itself and the changes made to it as of recently. The complete details of the bill are quite extensive, but the Overview allows for a better understanding as to the changes the Act has had over time and the influence it has had on our country's education. 

Obama gave more leniency to schools in order for them to still receive government funding while they continue to work to meet the standards laid out by the bill. These "waivers" have allowed struggling schools "to get out from under many of the mandates of the NCLB law in exchange for embracing certain education redesign priorities" as it was well stated in the Overview. Forty two of our states, including the Dominican Republic and D.C., needed this assistance so schools wouldn't be closed.

Not all students have the same level of dedication to their education, and if they are not motivated to use the resources provided for them, like free tutoring for example, test scores are never going to improve.  But also, not only are the students being evaluated, President Obama has made it a requirement that teachers be evaluated as well. 

But, it is hard to ignore the good that this piece of legislation has provided to the education system. It gives schools a goal to strive for. And what school wouldn't want more government money?

This fascinates me because it gives me more of a political idea as to how public schools are run. I am just coming out of the high school system and when I look back on all my years of schooling, I recall all the standardize testing we had to take. It was by no means enjoyable, but now I see how, even though the tests were not being put in my grades, they were impacting the well being of the school and the staff that runs the school. It makes me think, what would my education have been like if those check points were not in place?