Straight Talk with Sam: No Child Left Behind is Working

STRAIGHT TALK WITH SAM
Volume 5, Issue 15
No Child Left Behind is Working
April 11, 2005

Even famous phrases are edited for quickness these days. Take the phrase 'the proof is in the pudding'; it dates back to 1615 when Don Quixote was written. It originated as 'the proof of the pudding is in the eating.' Either version though gets its' point across that results are the only way to judge the true value of something.

In the case of No Child Left Behind, the proof is in the test scores. In Missouri, more schools met their achievement goal this year than last year. The improvement in scores can mean only one thing- our children are learning.
No Child Left Behind was a landmark reform of the education system. It established accountability for school districts and students. For the first time we could actually see if our children were making progress.

The law also realized that there is no one size fits all for education. Flexibility and local control were important principles. That's why Missouri educators make the tests and set the achievement goals. Local educators and parents know their schools better than bureaucrats in Washington.

The law isn't perfect and I want to work with educators to make it even better. The results though are encouraging. The goal of making sure that every child has an education is a noble one and I believe that all children deserve that opportunity.

Now is not the time to turn back. Our educators are making a difference in our children's lives. Watching our children succeed will be the proof in the pudding.

http://www.house.gov/graves/straighttalk/2005issue15.htm