Education news: Obama administration proposes changes to education policy and law

The Obama administration has put forth a proposal of overhauling No Child Left Behind.

Some key points are,

• Changes to federal financing formulas with emphasis on school performance
• Changes to education law
• Elimination of the requirement deadline of 2014 to have all students be proficient, to be replaced by graduation from high school, "college or career ready",
• Possible elimination of school ratings systems based on making "adequate yearly progress" on student test scores.

Regarding new systems, proposals are

• Dividing schools into more categories to give recognition for success and increasing funding for improvement or closure of failing schools.
• Define learning goals in earlier grades

One proposal is that based on the results of programs such as the Race to the Top Fund, that similar strategies and conditions might be applied to the distribution of funding through the U.S. Department of Education so that the emphasis is on improvement of schools.

Such proposed changes to educational law would be subject to Congressional approval, and the Administration is reported to be soliciting input from Congressional leaders of both parties in coming weeks to create legislative language attractive to bipartisan support.

A remark on these proposals as part of the President's comments on the 2011 fiscal year budget.

Remarks by the President on the Budget 10:29 min

"...That's why I've proposed a more than 6 percent increase in funding for the Education Department. And this funding is tied to reforms that raise student achievement, inspire students to excel in math and science, and turn around failing schools which consign too many young people to a lesser future -- because in the 21st century there is no better anti-poverty program than a world-class education..."

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For more information/further reading
Obama to Seek Sweeping Change in ‘No Child’ Law
By SAM DILLON Published: January 31, 2010
New York Times

Budgeting for a New Era of Responsibility
Posted by Jesse Lee on February 01, 2010 at 04:34 PM EST
Whitehouse.gov

Education reform: Obama budget reboots No Child Left Behind
Amanda Paulson Staff writer / February 1, 2010
Christian Science Monitor

Five Ways Obama's Budget Will Change Education Policy
Feb 1 2010, 2:20 pm by Derek Thompson
The Atlantic

Hard choices to come with fiscal year 2011 budget
Tuesday, February 2, 2010
Washington Post

New York Times stories on No Child Left Behind (NCLB)

NCLB U.S. Department of Education

© 2010 Regina G. Claypool-Frey
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