KUER: Education reform (2007-10-23)

In Focus Today

Education reform

From 'To the Point' (2007-10-23)

SANTA MONICA (pri) - President Bush wants Congress to renew No Child Left Behind, but after five years there's little consensus on education reform. How well is it working? What's needed to make it better? "To the Point" gets a variety of different points of view.

Listen to report

Time to Reform No Child Left Behind?

No Child Left Behind is called President Bush's crowning domestic achievement, and it passed five years ago with support from liberal Democrats in both houses of Congress. NCLB is supposed to make every American kid "proficient" in reading and math by 2014, but after five years that sounds like a pipe dream. Proficiency standards differ wildly from state to state, and some tests are being made easier so that scores will improve. Schools that have not improved are not being held accountable and angry parents in many places have gone to court. Is it time for national standards? Are test scores the best measures? What about merit pay for teachers?

Guests:

- David Hoff: Associate Editor, "Education Week"

- Jeff Kuhner: Communications Director, Fordham Institute

- Karin Chenoweth: Senior Writer, Achievement Alliance

- Valarie Lewis: Principal, Osmond Church School

- Monty Neill: Co-Executive Director, FairTest Coalition

"To the Point," a fast-paced, news-based program that focuses on the hot-button national issues of the day is produced by KCRW/Santa Monica and distributed nationwide by PRI. Get more info about "To the Point" and find out if this program airs in your area. © Copyright 2012, pri

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