Secretary of Education Arne Duncan Publishes Op Ed on “Escaping the Constraints of No Child Left Behind”

  In a piece published in the Washington Post, Secretary Duncan praises states' efforts to adopt "bold and comprehensive reforms to support academic achievement for all students," but laments the fact that NCLB is "unintentionally creating barriers for these reforms." He goes on to discuss the Obama administration's waiver plan, which is "offering states flexibility from NCLB in exchange for comprehensive plans to raise standards; to create fair, flexible and focused accountability systems; and to improve systems for teacher and principal evaluation and support." He also calls on Congress to create a law "that supports a well-rounded education while holding schools, districts and states accountable for results." To read the Op Ed, click here.

Like so much of the current debate around education reform and the reauthorization of No Child Left Behind, Secretary Duncan's piece focuses on academic standards and testing, school and state accountability, and teacher evaluation. These are important and complex issues, to be sure, but Elev8's experience suggests that critical services for students and families must also be part of our country's education reform agenda.

Elev8 and other community schools around the country are proving that it is possible to address the barriers to learning that children face inside and outside the classroom-by investing in high-quality school-based health centers, robust out-of-school-time programs and other supports and resources for families.

To learn about Elev8's recommendations for improving NCLB (also known as the Elementary and Secondary Education Act), click here.