Blueprint for Reform

On January 8, 2001, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was enacted into law to to help close the achievement gap and increase accountability for school districts. The goal of this was to have no child left behind by the year of 2014. Although the idea sounds perfect, followers had many questions and debates surrounding the action plan. Standardized tests were used to measure the success and failure of the students and districts. The tests were based off of primarily Reading and Math skills. Due to many concerns surrounding the consequences after the test, what the test was primarily based on, and other flaws, NCLB President Obama and Vice President Joe Biden proposed a change. The Blueprint for Reform was enacted on March 13, 2010. World-class education needed to be addressed along with college readiness. Succeeding the workplace and leaving high school and college ready to compete for jobs is now a priority. Unlike NCLB, the government does not mandate a specific model. The state, district, and schools now work together to develop standards and their accountability system; because not every school is the same.

Blueprint for Reform addresses a well-rounded education including math, science, technology, civics, foreign languages, the arts, financial literacy, and other subjects to help our students compete with other countries. Some argue that this is just Part Two of NCLB and possible worse. How can the teachers teach such a variety of subjects in under-funded school districts while still making time to teach material on the test? The plan also focuses on improving students’ health knowledge, addressing violence and substance abuse so they are made aware what is going on and possible resources. NCLB did not address any surrounding environment variables. With Blueprint for Reform enacted, schools are not being recognized and rewarded for high test scores. It is predicted that by 2020 the United States will once again lead the world in college completion and close the achievement gap. When students succeed, it is also predicted that the high school dropout rate will reduce when compared to previous years.
Despite some of the wonderful benefits that can come about from this, teacher unions are focusing on the responsibility that they have taken over. Their “effectiveness” of teaching will be based on these test scores. They feel like although they have all of the responsibility of this, they do not have the authority to implement any changes. The new funding formula may also cut many districts funding while increasing their goals as well.