President Barack Obama Calls for Overhaul of No Child Left Behind
March 14, 2011--In a speech at Kenmore Middle School in Arlington, VA, President Barack Obama called for reform of No Child Left Behind "so that we can have accountability without rigidity -- accountability that still encourages creativity inside the classroom, and empowers teachers and students and administrators."  No Child Left Behind is the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act that President Bush signed into law in 2002.  Obama said that, "The goals of No Child Left Behind were the right goals."  However, he said, "We need to not only hold failing schools accountable, we need to help turn those schools around.  In the 21st century, it’s not enough to leave no child behind.  We need to help every child get ahead.  We need to get every child on a path to academic excellence."  (transcript and fact sheet)  Obama has made several school visits recently to speak on education as part of what the Administration has dubbed "Education Month."
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