HOUSTON HEARING ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
GATHERS INPUT FOR U.S. CONGRESS
 |
| From left:
Michele Pola, Ed.D., Executive Director, Houston
A+ Challenge; Dr. Peter Bishop, Coordinator, Futures
Studies, University of Houston; Linda Clarke, Education
Director, Office of Mayor Bill White; Ron Cowell,
President, Education Policy and Leadership Center;
Roberto Gonzalez, Vice President, Education &
Training Centers, Inc.; Henry Johnson, Former U.S.
Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary
Education (2005-2006). Photo by Ben DeSoto |
On March 27, 2007, Houston A+ Challenge convened more
than 250 parents, students, educators, business leaders
and community members for a statewide public hearing
on No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
The landmark federal education law expires in September,
so the U.S. Congress is currently discussing reauthorization
-- that is, which parts of the law to change, and which
to keep the same.
Houston A+ Challenge documented opinions and suggestions
from the three-hour Houston hearing through facilitated
table discussions, report-outs to the entire audience,
and individual interviews conducted in our video
booth.
The following day, Wendy Puriefoy of the Public
Education Network testified before the Senate Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and delivered
a synopsis of feedback from across the country to Washington
lawmakers.
These key observations and recommendations from the
Houston hearing were submitted to U.S. Senators by PEN
on March 28, 2007:
Houston A+ Challenge is an independent nonprofit that
has supported public school improvement and encouraged
education reform efforts in the Houston area since 1997.
Houston A+ partners with local school districts to help
build professional networks and school leaders who create
lasting improvements in classroom instruction and student
achievement. |
