Mayor Bloomberg, you remain an enigma wrapped in a mystery, cloaked in a conundrum. Our mayor, who recently said he'd support Joe Lieberman's independent bid for Senate, wrote an editorial in the Washington Post about the No Child Left Behind Act with Florida Governor Jeb Bush. Clearly, Dubya isn't talking all the calls from Jebby these days. Bloomberg and Bush's editorial outlines how the NCLB Act could be more meaningful and effective, and Bloomberg's involvement does make sense, since he has trumpeted himself as an education-minded mayor (though it's unclear whether or not his policy changes have resulted in real progress). The two Republicans propose four "lessons" for Congress as they reconsider the act:
- Make standards meaningful. Ensure that every state sets a high standard for proficiency. The existing law left room for states to define proficiency levels, and some have dumbed them down to create the illusion of progress. We need a uniform measuring stick...
- Encourage student gains. When the law was written five years ago, Congress didn't think it was possible to follow an individual student's performance from year to year. As a result, the law defines success largely by the total number of students meeting a proficiency standard -- not by whether individual students are improving...
- Recognize degrees of progress. Congress should consider that there are more than just two options for rating schools -- passing and failing. Rather than the current all-or-nothing system, the law should reward levels of performance at each school. Many schools are making great progress with the majority of their students. The schools should be acknowledged for that and encouraged to strive toward full proficiency. Florida and now New York City are giving schools grades of A, B, C, D and F -- enabling us to recognize and support progress at all levels and to hold schools accountable for success...
- Reward and retain high-quality teachers. Tests can measure progress, but ultimately teachers must drive it. The law should go further than ensuring that teachers are qualified. It should also ensure that they are performing well and being paid accordingly. Congress should support measures that link pay with performance, raise pay for teachers in fields with shortages and high-needs communities, toughen standards for achieving tenure, and create meaningful paths for dismissing poor educators...
The NY Sun says that the pairing, though odd as Bloomberg has been bouncing all over the political spectrum, is "consistent with Mr. Bloomberg's independent style, which could be the basis of a presidential platform two years from now." With Jeb as Vice-President?
Here's the Department of Education's No Child Left Behind website.
