NOTE TO CONGRESS: Don’t cut testing from No Child Left Behind. That’s the opinion of The New York Times’ editorial board, which argues that while reforms are necessary, the tests themselves are essential, as they allow states to identify and intervene in failing schools.
The board echoes several points made by Compass Learning’s Nick Sheltrown, who urges giving NCLB credit for drawing attention to performance by subgroups of students and pushing educational change based on data evidence.
The board also asks the House of Representatives, expected to vote on reauthorizing the No Child Left Behind Act on Friday, to listen to the reforms suggested by state leaders, including clear accountability systems based on more criteria than just testing, and intervention with schools that have declining student performance over time.
