The NCLB Act Closing the Achievement Gap in America’s Public Schools

President Bush and Republicans are working to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their peers. For 35 years, Washington spent more than $300 billion on education without insisting on results for our children. President Bush and Congress have brought that era to an end.

Quick Highlights of the NCLB Act Gives parents report cards on school performance. Sends more dollars to the classroom, with fewer strings attached. Reforms federal K-12 education programs, requiring accountability for results through annual testing to ensure all children are learning. Provides help for schools that are identified as underachieving. Shields teachers, principals, and school board members from frivolous lawsuits. School choice for parents of chronically failing schools. Streamlines k-12 programs from 55 to 45

Local Educational Policy In order for a school to receive funds from Title I, they must implement programs decided upon by and for parents they include; activities, and procedures for the involvement of parents in programs assisted under this part section 1112 consistent with this section. Section 1116 Parents review and revise school improvement policies.

Parent Participation Build parent participation. Provide coordination of technical assistance, and other support necessary to assist participating schools in planning and implementing effective parent involvement. Activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance. Activities to improve student academic achievement and school performance.

Cooperatively Work with other agencies to involve parents. Conduct, with parents an annual evaluation of the content and effectiveness of the parental involvement policy in improving the academic quality.

Barriers Identify barriers to parents Possible barriers may be language. Economically disadvantage Disabilities Problems with literacy minority to populations Evaluate the barriers and design strategies to involve parents

Reservation A minimum of 1% of the schools budget is set aside for parents. Monies are used for the promotion of family literacy and parenting skills. Parents shall be involved in decisions regarding how funds are allotted for parental involvement activities. Not less than 95% of the funds reserved shall be distributed to schools being served under this part.

School Parental Involvement Policy Parents and staff shall jointly develop and distribute to the total school population a copy of the Parent Policy. Policy may be amended if applies to all parents to meet the requirements of the subsection.

Parental comments under section 1112 if the plans to the policy are not satisfactory to the parents of the participating children shall submit any parent comments with such plan when such local educational agency submits the plan to the State.