Education Administration No Child Left Behind Essay

Education Administration No Child Left Behind - Essay Example Next is the improvement of flexibility and local control. It also provides an increased number of options for parents. Lastly it stresses on proven teaching techniques. The phrase, "No Child Left Behind" (NCLB) has become a slogan for the federal scheme to increase "accountability" in American education. But despite the fact that NCLB is a federal plan, it will be up to the individual countries to make the plans and procedures that accomplish NCLB requirements. NCLB does not provide the new mandate with adequate funds. Thus this has an effect on opinions of many schools and parents. Many states have implemented this policy by now, but this has an impact on the parents and schools as they had to face many difficulties while coping up with the policy. This article further describes the effect, changes and pros and cons of the policy. (Edwards & Perry 2004) This act generally stresses on developing American schools to a standard in which all students are given equal opportunities. As in the act it states "close the achievement gap between high- and low-performing children, especially the achievement gaps between minority and non-minority students, and between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers." This clearly reflects that NCLB aims to offer reasonable and equivalent opportunities to the students so that they can attain education of high standards. One of the most important terms of NCLB is the obligation that the states should set values in the field of education and should perform yearly evaluation of schools to check the progress of the school and analyze if the schools have been successful in improving the student's educational achievements. NCLB gives funds for the training of teachers; it provides special support to students who face difficulties with reading and supports immigrants and homeless students. Overa ll NCLB holds the states, districts and the schools to take accountability of the student's achievements. States are entitled to report the progress of students who suffer from problems like reading and writing. They are also directed to report about the students who are from different ethnic groups and who belong to families of low income. Strengths NCLB provides a safe and sound environment to the students. Its aim is to provide the students with all basic needs for studying thus giving them a 'study environment'. It has many provisions which provide a way to improve the whole study structure in U.S.A. The states set an annual report of the students, teachers and schools which is reviewed by the parents. This helps in giving the parents an opportunity to analyze their children strengths and weaknesses. It also gives parents an overview of the school's performance. This helps in getting a better view of the prevailing situation and helps in taking necessary steps in the improvement of the education structure. Each state is responsible for the schools performance in their jurisdiction. The states further report to the NCLB and they act accordingly. (Yall & Drasgow 2005) WEAKNESSES While on the contrary this Act has not proved to be a perfect solution to all the problems. According to Darling-Hammond, "The biggest problem with the NCLB Act is that it mistakes measuring schools for fixing them." This act has made the states to decrease their values and has persuaded some schools to enhance their performance by asking the under performing students to leave. This