As part of NCLB鈥檚 7th anniversary celebration, Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings has released a long document entitled 鈥淕reat Expectations.鈥�
The summarizes the Bush administration鈥檚 message on NCLB for the past two years. Using a common device, it offers a word for the first five letters of the alphabet鈥攖wo words actually for 鈥淐"鈥攁nd explains why each word is important for the future. Here鈥檚 a synopsis:
Accountability: "The next president will face calls to dismantle or radically redefine accountability. He should resist them." Bipartisanship: "The No Child Left Behind Act was approved overwhelmingly because it united Republicans and Democrats behind a cause greater than themselves. It is time for that same spirit of unity to motivate everyone involved in the public education system." Children: "We must also not fall into the trap of blaming poor academic performance on poverty or family circumstances. It is our responsibility to provide a quality education so children can overcome their hardships." Choice: "Students who suffer in silence in chronically underperforming schools must be offered a lifeline. Saving a child is more important than protecting a building or a job." Data: "Without quality data and sound science to guide us, we risk making decisions based not on facts but assumptions." Expectations: "The lesson of the last eight years is that if we expect more from our students, we will get it. ... When expectations rise, standards and test scores soon follow."
Here鈥檚 the conclusion: 鈥淭here is no letter 鈥楩'鈥攂ecause failure is not an option. We cannot fail as long as we have the will to sustain and strengthen reform.鈥�
Starting Jan. 20, we鈥檒l have a chance to learn whether these will be the priorities of the Obama administration.
