Utah Continues to Draw Fire from Feds Over NCLB
None by KCPW
(KCPW News) The top education official in the nation continues to use Utah's public school system as evidence that No Child Left Behind is necessary. In a speech yesterday, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings suggested that Utah officials oppose No Child Left Behind because it judges the state's public schools too harshly. Associate State Superintendent Brenda Hales bristles:"Every state has a unique population and unique challenges," says Hales. "That's where you get in to trouble - when you have big government trying to dictate how states should perform. It almost becomes a 'Big Brother' situation."
Utah education officials and lawmakers have been vocal in their disdain for federal education mandates found in No Child Left Behind. Secretary Spellings yesterday said states need to embrace the goals of the law rather than making excuses for why it won't work. Hales says the basic goal of improving student performance is worthy. But Utah officials take issue with the federal government claiming it knows best:
"We've always felt like No Child Left Behind's goals are meaningful and essential, but how we meet them should be decided on a state level," says Hales.
Low-income and minority students in Utah continue to lag in basic skills, but Hales says the state is working to address the gap. Federal officials have denied many of Utah's requests for flexibility in how it qualifies teachers and handles school testing.
Utah Congressman Rob Bishop has vowed to fight reauthorization and revisions of No Child Left Behind set for debate next year.
Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2009 KCPW
1. Curtis Linton said:
Unfortunately, Secretary Spellings is justified in her criticism of the Utah education system. As a nationally recognized educational consultant, I spend my time visiting the very best schools and school systems across the U.S. In comparison, Utah has a long ways to go. Demographically, Utah is set up to be remarkably successful. But, Utah as a whole has not embraced a progressive view towards education. The legislature--and Utah society--spends its time debating vouchers and whether the children of undocumented immigrants should be allowed in school rather than debating what kind of support needs to be put in place so that all children can succeed in school, no matter their race, socio-economic status, language, religion, or any other factor. Utah bristles whenever its education system is criticized, rather than examining what truths lie within that criticism. I want Utah to have the best schools, but that "best" needs to be in comparison to the nation and to the world, not just within our own eyes.
2. Tim said:
Sadly, the Sec. of Education is right on with this one. In Utah, the politics of the achievement gap are holding it in place. Both sides of the politcal divide LIKE having the gap so they can use it as a campaign issue. As long as that remains true, the gap will persist and even the dictates of NCLB can't change that.