Statement

U.S. Education Dept. Validates Educators' Efforts
to Make 'No Child Left Behind' Law More Flexible

Statement by NEA President Reg Weaver on Latest Changes to Rules

"On behalf of its 2.7 million members, NEA is pleased that the U.S. Department of Education has announced that it will further amend its regulations affecting the so-called No Child Left Behind Act.

"We applaud the Department's efforts to make common sense improvements in the law that will make it somewhat more flexible. NEA, its state affiliates and educators across the country have been tirelessly advocating for major changes to the law. We are glad to see many of the changes that we recommended announced today and believe that much more needs to be done to turn the promise of No Child Left Behind into a reality for all children.

"NEA is particularly pleased that the Department is allowing a more reasonable 3 percent of all students to take appropriate assessments and still have their scores count for AYP purposes. Now more students with disabilities will have their progress measured more appropriately.

"We welcome the Department's new focus on what works to raise student achievement and close the achievement gap, and expect that these changes will be applied to states and school districts in an objective and evenhanded manner.

"NEA urges Secretary Spellings to make these and other recent rule changes retroactive to ensure that schools are not inaccurately and unfairly labeled as 'in need of improvement.'  We also urge the Secretary and the U.S. Congress to examine further changes to the law, such as incorporating broader measures of student and school progress than just standardized test scores.

"The Department's actions are a step in the right direction, but educators know that we must continue moving forward if we are to ensure that every child can attend a great public school."

Related Links:

- More information on the proposed changes

- Information about fixing and funding NCLB

April 7, 2005


Contact:
NEA Public Relations 202-822-7200

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The National Education Association is the nation's largest professional employee organization, representing 2.7 million elementary and secondary teachers, higher education faculty, education support professionals, school administrators, retired educators and students preparing to become teachers.