How did No Child Left Behind even get signed into law in the first place? Did our senators and congressmen and women even take the time to read or even skim over what they were supposed to vote on?

This bill was never meant to help schools or even make sure No Child really IS left behind as the bill is so cleverly called. In theory this bill was meant to make schools accountable for their teaching; however, it failed miserably. In talking to teachers, I have learned they spend more time trying to prepare kids for the test than actually teaching them what they need to know.

I would like someone to explain why taking money away from schools is a good thing to do. Please explain how doing that will make a school perform better when it has no money for new, updated textbooks, lab equipment to properly protect children when doing experiments, etc. According to a report, since 2005 the amount of schools that have failed to meet the standards set by NCLB has almost increased every year by 200-plus schools. It’s apparent that something must be changed.

I will give them credit for at least coming to that realization now, but most of the people on this think tank are in or have been in some form of power, and I assume all have a computer they can use to write a letter to the editor of their local paper and even that of statewide paper, especially the principals that were surveyed. When you think the standardized test MCA-II is not effective in trying to assess student achievement, I believe you are (or should be) encouraged to come out and say something. If we really want to make our school better, we need not punish schools by taking away money, but we need to give schools more money to create a better learning environment.

If we want to fix the problems in this country, we need to start with an education reform bill. As everyone knows, children are the future. I believe the old saying is, “If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.” Unfortunately, it is broken and it has been for quite a while.

Marley Cardona

Albert Lea