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2007
HOUSTON HEARING ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND,
INPUT FOR U.S. CONGRESS:
INTERVENTIONS FOR LOW PERFORMANCE
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.
These key observations and recommendations on Interventions
for Low Performance were recorded during the
Houston event and submitted to U.S. Senators by the Public Education Network
on March 28, 2007:
- The current law is perceived as negative. Interventions
should not be punitive, but should come as a "rallying
cry" that encourages parents/communities to pitch
in.
- There should be a high-level ombudsman in each state
to oversee compliance when interventions are required.
One parent noted: "It has taken me four months
to get my child the tutoring that his school is required
to give him under this law. At this point, who do
I call?"
- When a student transfers to a higher-performing
school as allowed under NCLB, the lower-performing
school should not be saddled with the financial burden,
but rather should be given funds for improvement.
In addition, the receiving school should be given
funds needed to get the student "up to speed,"
assuming he/she is behind grade level proficiency.
- There should be line-item funding for more social
workers in schools at all levels -- elementary, middle
and high school.
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