Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, who is currently leading as the front-runner for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination, strongly criticized the No Child Left Behind Act during her speech at the New York State United Teachers’ annual convention. She argued that the act is detrimental to schools as it limits the curriculum and relies too heavily on standardized tests, which hinder student creativity. Senator Clinton emphasized the need for measures and accountability but criticized the NCLB law for its insufficient funding and heavy-handed implementation.
The crowd of approximately 3,000 attendees at the Washington Hilton enthusiastically applauded Senator Clinton, who was the only presidential candidate to address the union. Despite voting in favor of the No Child Left Behind law in 2001, Senator Clinton has not yet provided detailed proposals for reshaping the law, which is due for reauthorization this year. However, her husband, former President Bill Clinton, suggested reducing the frequency of testing, potentially conducting it three times throughout K-12 education instead of annually in grades 3-8 and once in high school.
While Senator Clinton did not provide specific details regarding changes to the NCLB law’s testing requirements, she expressed the need for lawmakers to reconsider assessment methods under the law. Her remarks were calculated to appeal to the 575,000-member NYSUT, an organization affiliated with both the National Education Association and the American Federation of Teachers, which has voiced strong criticism of the federal law, advocating for more flexibility and reduced punitive measures.
Senator Clinton framed her concerns about the testing provisions of the NCLB law within the context of economic competitiveness, a prevalent concept in education policy. She highlighted the irony that China is now focusing on fostering creativity in their schools while the United States is increasingly prioritizing rote learning. Additionally, she raised concerns about the law’s provision that allows students in underperforming schools to receive tutoring from private companies. Senator Clinton questioned the effectiveness of such tutoring since these providers are not subject to the same accountability regulations as public school educators. Instead, she advocated for proven remedies such as smaller class sizes, increased parental involvement, and greater respect and higher pay for teachers, particularly those working in challenging schools.
Senator Clinton also voiced her disappointment with her colleagues in Congress for failing to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, which allocates federal funds to school districts to support special education. Although Senator Clinton’s support for charter schools was met with disagreement from some members of the audience, her overall speech resonated with many attendees. Several union members expressed their inclination to vote for her after hearing her remarks, appreciating her emphasis on addressing the excessive focus on testing in education.
In conclusion, Senator Clinton condemned the No Child Left Behind Act for its negative impact on schools, criticized the prevalent testing practices, and advocated for alternative solutions to improve education. Her speech at the NYSUT convention resonated with her audience and generated support for her presidential candidacy.
