No Child Left Behind: Harming or Hurting America's Schools?

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The No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is an education policy originally proposed by President George Bush in 2001. Since then President Barrack Obama has added modifications in order to better educate the students of our Nation. The purpose of the NCLB is to enable all children to the same rights for education. Each child, regardless of race, gender or location should be able to obtain equal education. The policy requires highly educated teachers and annual state testing that is submitted to the government.

The Federal definition of a “highly qualified teacher” requires the teacher to have certification for the State, having passed licensing exams. An elementary school teacher who is new to the field is required to have a minimum of a bachelor’s degree, has passed State testing, subject knowledge and skills in reading, writing mathematics and other areas of basic elementary school curriculum. A middle or secondary school teacher who is new to the field has the same requirements; however they must also demonstrate high levels of competency in each of the academic subjects they intend to teach. Academic standards have been established for each state. The idea is to prepare students for college and “the real world”. This also creates an accountability system that recognizes student growth and school progress (ESEA Reauthorization, 2010).

With these established goals each state is to ensure that all teachers are qualified as stipulated. This is to give all students a fair and equal opportunity to education. However, each of these things work towards the students who may be lacking, or do not currently have access to a standard education. This does not apply to all students.

As a parent of four school age childre...

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