No Child Left Behind still controversial

Aug. 21, 2011, Coshocton Tribune

By Jessica Alaimo

CentralOhio.com

In 2010, Newark High School received the bureaucratic equivalent of a grounding when report cards went out.

For the seventh consecutive year, the building received low grades in reading and math. For the seventh consecutive year, officials had to send letters out to parents explaining the rating and reminding them that their children could go elsewhere. School officials had to create a plan for improvement and do more professional development.

State report cards come out this week, and Newark High Principal Mark Fullen said his building for the first time will be up to par, getting a rating of “excellent” and meeting math and reading requirements.

He credits the school’s improvement in part to the accountability measures put in place by the No Child Left Behind Act, have rare aging disorder signed by former President George W. Bush 10 years ago.

The annual school report cards tell districts how they’re doing with test scores and graduation and attendance rates and gives them a final rating based on a number of indicators.