ADVOCACY PLAN - Facts and Terms Every Parent Should Know About NCLB
President Kennedy initiated this law for the underserved and underprivileged students back in the 60s. Every President after him working in a non partisan fashion have reauthorized and revamped this educational law known today as NCLB. (No Child Left Behind)
NCLB has led to higher expectations and greater accountability throughout the Nation's school systems. Here are some key facts and terms that you should know about how this historic law helps your child:
The Facts About No Child Left Behind
Funding: No Child Left Behind gives school districts additional funding coming from the Federal Government. In fact, President Bush and Congress spent more money than ever before on the education of America's children.
Flexibility: No Child Left Behind gives states and school districts more control and more flexibility to use resources where they are needed most. Principals and administrators will spend less time filling out forms and more time helping your child learn.
Accountability: No Child Left Behind holds schools and school districts accountable for results. Schools are responsible for making sure your child is learning. Be sure to understand how to read your schools’ AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress)
School District Report Cards: No Child Left Behind gives parents report cards so they can see which schools in their district are succeeding and why. With this information, No Child Left Behind gives parents, community leaders, teachers, principals, and elected leaders the information they need to improve schools.
Public School Choice: No Child Left Behind may let you transfer your child to another public school if the state says that your child's school is "in need of improvement." Your school district may pay for transportation for your child. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child has this opportunity.
Extra Help with Learning: No Child Left Behind may also provide your child with free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork if the state says your child's school has been "in need of improvement" for at least 2 years. This extra help is often referred to as Supplemental Educational Services. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.
Parental Involvement: No Child Left Behind requires schools to develop ways to get parents more involved in their child's education and in improving the school. Contact CDE or your school District to find out how you can get involved. (Section 1118) Do you know if your District Parent Involvement Policy is NCLB compliant?
Check with your (DAC) District Advisory Committee or your DELAC (District English Learners Advisory Committee) and your School Site Councils.
Measuring Knowledge: No Child Left Behind requires states to test your child in reading and math every year in grades 3-8. Your child will also be tested at least once in high school. The tests will help you, your child, and your child's teachers know how well your child is learning and when he or she needs extra help.
Scientifically Based Research: No Child Left Behind focuses on teaching methods that have been proven by research to work. There will be no more experimenting on children with educational fads.
Reading First: No Child Left Behind provides more than one billion dollars a year to help children learn to read. Reading First is the part of No Child Left Behind that is dedicated to ensuring all children learn to read on grade level by the third grade. Reading First provides money to states and many school districts to support high quality reading programs based on the best scientific research. Contact your child's school district to find out if its reading program is based on research.
Teacher Quality: No Child Left Behind provides funding to help teachers learn to be better teachers.
Terms Every Parent Needs to Know
Title I — This is the part of No Child Left Behind that supports programs in schools and school districts to improve the learning of children from low-income families. The U.S. Department of Education provides Title I funds to states to give to school districts based on the number of children from low-income families in each district.
State Assessments — This refers to the tests developed by your state (ex: STAR) that your child will take every year in grades 3-8 and at least once in high school. Using these tests, the state will be able to compare schools to each other and know which ones need extra help to improve. Contact your child's school or school district to find out more details about your state's tests.
Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to explain that your child's school has met state reading and math goals. Your school district's report card will let you know whether or not your child's school has made AYP.
School in Need of Improvement — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to schools receiving Title I funds that have not met state reading and math goals (AYP) for at least two years. If your child's school is labeled a "school in need of improvement," it receives extra help to improve and your child has the option to transfer to another public school, including a public charter school. Also, your child may be eligible to receive free tutoring and extra help with schoolwork. Contact your child's school district to find out if your child qualifies.
Supplemental Educational Services (SES) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses to refer to the tutoring and extra help with schoolwork in subjects such as reading and math that children from low-income families are eligible to receive when attending schools in PI Status level 2 or worse (De Anza Middle School (PI 5) and Will Rogers Elementary (PI 5). This tutoring is provided free of charge (for a value of around $1,000.00 per child) and generally takes place where the parents prefer. The tutors are chosen by the parents from the accredited list of providers supplied by the State of CA. It is imperative to begin the tutoring process as soon as possible during the academic year to address the deficiencies of each child early on.
Highly Qualified Teacher (HQT) — This is the term No Child Left Behind uses for a teacher who proves that he or she knows the subjects he or she is teaching, has a college degree, and is state-certified. No Child Left Behind requires that your child be taught by a Highly Qualified Teacher in core academic subjects. Each parent has the right to request proof from the District of these high qualifications requirements.
ADVOCACY PLAN - THE FOUR PILLARS OF NCLB
PILLAR 1: Stronger Accountability for Results
Under No Child Left Behind, states are working to close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve academic proficiency. Annual state and school district report cards inform parents and communities about state and school progress. Schools that do not make progress must provide supplemental services, such as free tutoring or after-school assistance; take corrective actions; and, if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years, make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.
PILLAR 2: More Freedom for States and Communities
Under No Child Left Behind, states and school districts have unprecedented flexibility in how they use federal education funds. For example, it is possible for most school districts to transfer up to 50 percent of the federal formula grant funds they receive under the Improving Teacher Quality State Grants, Educational Technology, Innovative Programs, and Safe and Drug-Free Schools programs to any one of these programs, or to their Title I program, without separate approval. This allows districts to use funds for their particular needs, such as hiring new teachers, increasing teacher pay, and improving teacher training and professional development.
PILLAR 3: Proven Education Methods
No Child Left Behind puts emphasis on determining which educational programs and practices have been proven effective through rigorous scientific research. Federal funding is targeted to support these programs and teaching methods that work to improve student learning and achievement. In reading, for example, No Child Left Behind supports scientifically based instruction programs in the early grades under the Reading First program and in preschool under the Early Reading First program.
PILLAR 4: More Choices for Parents
Parents of children in low-performing schools have new options under No Child Left Behind. In schools that do not meet state standards for at least two consecutive years, parents may transfer their children to a better-performing public school, including a public charter school, within their district. The district must provide transportation, using Title I funds if necessary. Students from low-income families in schools that fail to meet state standards for at least three years are eligible to receive supplemental educational services, including tutoring, after-school services, and summer school. Also, students who attend a persistently dangerous school or are the victim of a violent crime while in their school have the option to attend a safe school within their district.
Source: U.S. Department of Education |
