One Size Does Not Fit All

Congressman Scott Garrett’s (R-N.J.) introduction of HR3177, the Local Education Authority Returns Now Act (LEARN) in July 2007 offers solutions to the various problems caused by the federal No Child Left Behind law (NCLB). At the Leadership Institute’s Wednesday Wake-Up Club Breakfast meeting recently, he said, “The whole of education centers around the issue of money.” He pointed out that he has been outspoken about the negative impact that NCLB has had on America’s children’s education and their future.

He said that “‘The LEARN ACT’ gives money back to the states through a tax credit.” It has been observed that Congressman Garrett is bringing a new solution to the table. He continued, “We are going to require from Washington more accountability for the States, sending federal dollars to the States that will require some accountability. The rationale is that it is not Washington’s money. It is the people’s money. But, NCLB has not worked. It has a lot of burdens on schools that were not there before! Parents will not focus on how well their kids are doing but how their kids are doing well on the test.” “The Federal Government first became involved in the area of education with the Elementary Secondary Education Act.” Rep. Garrett said. “It goes back to 1965. This Act had significant methods of influence on education.” He said, “ If you meet the standards, your school will get the money. New Jersey has set a higher bar. Other states set the bar low.” “It is important to note,” the Congressman pointed out, “that all 50 states have taken some form of action, legislative or legal, against NCLB; NCLB hasn’t encouraged creativity or competition.”

Heyecan Veziroglu is an intern at the American Journalism Center, a training program run by Accuracy in Media and Accuracy in Academia.