ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act was created to was originally created to provide a complete educational opportunity to all students. This act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was his belief that education should be a our primary goal in this nation. The original purpose of ESEA was to assist low income school systems in offering grants for books, scholarships, and special education centers. Since 1965 ESEA has been reauthorized multiple times. When reauthorized in 2002, President George W. Bush renamed this law No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In 2011 the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee again reauthorized this law. When reauthorized in 2011, the main focus was placed on annual student testing, new college and career ready standards, teacher evaluations, and school accountability. In September of 2011 the ESEA flexibility program was put into place. This allows schools to waive specific accountability and funding requirements of the act.
How does this law affect teachers and education?
NCLB has long been a struggle for educators. The goal of 100% proficiency is unrealistic in many situations. Because of the requirements put into place, it is believed that many schools have been unfairly labeled as failing and that schools can not be compared accurately. With the re-authorization in 2011, more responsibility has been placed on teachers to ensure student success. The teacher evaluations and students success are all directly linked with a teachers performance. When using the flexibility program, schools will be required to use state developed plans that are believed to provide educational equality among students. Despite the revisions, many teachers and senators realize the need for revisions in ESEA, or NCLB in order to best prepare our nation's students.
How does this law affect students?
This law was created to provide an equal opportunity in education for all students.Throughout the changes and re-authorizations, this has still been the main focus. The implementation of common core standards to promote college and career readiness helps prepare students for whatever route they choose after completing high school. For students with disabilities, this law requires their achievement to be measured and recorded. This has allowed theses students the opportunity to perform on grade level content. However, some argue that this sets students up for failure and focuses on what students cannot do instead of what they can.
Why do we need a new law?
The need to begin focusing on what students can do.
The need to insure that funds for low income schools are actually received and put to good use.
The need for students to receive a full education including physical activity and the arts.
The need for better teacher support.
What ideas do you have?
What role should the Federal Government play in education?
Many educators believe that the Federal Government plays too large of a role in the educational decision making. Many Republican officials are also calling for the full exclusion of the Federal Government when it comes to deciding what is best of our nation's schools. With the most recent re-authorization of ESEA, some Republican lawmakers and conservatives felt that the law did not adequately decrease the role of the government. This debate plays a continued part when revising laws such as ESEA.
Duncan, A. (2015, February 12). It's Past Time to Move Beyond No Child Left Behind: Addressing America's Teachers and Principals. Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.ed.gov/blog/tag/esea-reauthorization/
What is ESEA?
ESEA (Elementary and Secondary Education Act was created to was originally created to provide a complete educational opportunity to all students. This act was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. It was his belief that education should be a our primary goal in this nation. The original purpose of ESEA was to assist low income school systems in offering grants for books, scholarships, and special education centers. Since 1965 ESEA has been reauthorized multiple times. When reauthorized in 2002, President George W. Bush renamed this law No Child Left Behind (NCLB). In 2011 the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) committee again reauthorized this law. When reauthorized in 2011, the main focus was placed on annual student testing, new college and career ready standards, teacher evaluations, and school accountability. In September of 2011 the ESEA flexibility program was put into place. This allows schools to waive specific accountability and funding requirements of the act.
How does this law affect teachers and education?
NCLB has long been a struggle for educators. The goal of 100% proficiency is unrealistic in many situations. Because of the requirements put into place, it is believed that many schools have been unfairly labeled as failing and that schools can not be compared accurately. With the re-authorization in 2011, more responsibility has been placed on teachers to ensure student success. The teacher evaluations and students success are all directly linked with a teachers performance. When using the flexibility program, schools will be required to use state developed plans that are believed to provide educational equality among students. Despite the revisions, many teachers and senators realize the need for revisions in ESEA, or NCLB in order to best prepare our nation's students.
How does this law affect students?
This law was created to provide an equal opportunity in education for all students.Throughout the changes and re-authorizations, this has still been the main focus. The implementation of common core standards to promote college and career readiness helps prepare students for whatever route they choose after completing high school. For students with disabilities, this law requires their achievement to be measured and recorded. This has allowed theses students the opportunity to perform on grade level content. However, some argue that this sets students up for failure and focuses on what students cannot do instead of what they can.
Why do we need a new law?
What role should the Federal Government play in education?
Many educators believe that the Federal Government plays too large of a role in the educational decision making. Many Republican officials are also calling for the full exclusion of the Federal Government when it comes to deciding what is best of our nation's schools. With the most recent re-authorization of ESEA, some Republican lawmakers and conservatives felt that the law did not adequately decrease the role of the government. This debate plays a continued part when revising laws such as ESEA.
For Further Information:
"The Never-Ending Story of ESEA Reauthorization"
Elementary and Secondary Education Act
ESEA Reauthorization
"It's Past Time to Move Beyond No Child Left Behind: Addressing America's Teachers and Principals"
Elementary and Secondary Education (ESEA)
ESEA Flexibility
References:
Duncan, A. (2015, February 12). It's Past Time to Move Beyond No Child Left Behind: Addressing America's Teachers and Principals. Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.ed.gov/blog/tag/esea-reauthorization/
Kerr, P. (2015, April 10). Marking the 50th Anniversary of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.ed.gov/blog/topic/esea-reauthorization/
Michelman, B. (2012). The Never-Ending Story of ESEA Reauthorization. Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.ascd.org/publications/newsletters/policy_priorities/vol18/num01/The_Never-Ending_Story_of_ESEA_Reauthorization.aspx
Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.copaa.org/?page=ESEA
Elementary and Secondary Education Act. (n.d.). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www.ed.gov/esea
ESEA Flexibility. (2015, February 2). Retrieved June 14, 2015, from http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/index.html