A Child Left Behind
George Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act signed into law in January, 2002 certainly seemed like a good idea. Of course, it has turned out to be an enormous failure. Not such a bad idea in theory, though, and the proposition, during campaign season, no doubt won Dubya some votes. I guess that’s all that matters. Once the votes are tallied and you have a winner (I won’t even get started on that), there’s really no compelling reason to fulfill the promises made to fund such programs, I suppose.
According to what I’ve read from various sources:
The Republican budget for 2006 cut funding for No Child Left Behind by $1 billion.
In the four fiscal years following No Child Left Behind being enacted into law, Bush and the Republican Congress underfunded the law by $40 billion.
Republican funding cuts left three million disadvantaged children behind in public schools; and left over 1.6 million children out of after-school programs.
No big surprise. Anyway, you can do your own research. If you don’t know where to start, feel free to let me know, and I’ll send you some links. I’m really not here this evening to point out why this particular program has been such a major failure. Because, like I said, it’s not a bad idea, if executed properly. (Too bad about that lack of funding thing, but, c’est la vie. Or, more appropriately, c’est la Bush. I guess the money is best spent on, well, illegal wars and stuff.)
The NCLB program should, however, possibly be revisited, revised, and re-prioritized. It certainly needs funding! Because if children are our future, and this is what the current educational system is cranking out, we’re in serious trouble! This video is from the Miss Teen USA pageant that aired earlier this week. Believe it or not, Miss South Carolina, Caitlin Upton, still managed to snag fourth place in the pageant. She did attempt to redeem herself, of course. Her explanation follows the video.
So to prove she’s not really an idiot, she agreed to appear on NBC’s Today show this past Tuesday morning to explain her response:
“Personally, my friends and I, we know exactly where the United States is on a map. I don’t know anyone else who doesn’t. If the statistics are correct, I believe there should be more emphasis on geography in our education so people will learn how to read maps better.”
Great save, Miss South Carolina! Jeez.
caitlin upton, miss teen usa, no child left behind, george bush
September 1st, 2007 at 1:52 pm
Doug you still never told me what an illegal war was! I’m heart broken
Agreed it was a good idea but look at all that has happened since it was signed in. I would trade education for military lives which is where “some” of that money went. And yes Bush has missed out on some things he said he would do, but what President hasn’t?
September 1st, 2007 at 3:47 pm
Hi, Cam. Of course, you’re right, all Presidents have skipped out on some of their promises, that’s without question. Can’t say I ever trust any candidate completely, which is a shame, but it’s to be expected. Skipping out on this particular promise, though, has resulted in schools closing, “dumbing down” the mandated testing in order to avoid losing what little funding is being provided. Maybe an argument could be made from your side about trading education for military lives (I’d disagree, but what else is new?
) but the money isn’t going to save military lives. It’s going to put them in a situation that shouldn’t exist in the first place, and to put them in a deadly situation unnecessarily. And yes, it is an illegal war. Sorry I broke your heart, though. 
This kind of sums it up. http://www.whatreallyhappened.com/iraqwar.html
Have a great weekend.
Doug
September 1st, 2007 at 4:12 pm
I agree the money has been used wrong. Look at the body armor that our troups are wearing.
I know the only time you would completely trust a candidate is if it was you, same with me.
I don’t believe there is such a thing as a legal or illegal war. War is evil how can you put it into those terms.
I am just tired personaly of hearing about Iraq and wish people would let those decisions lie with who they should (no matter our opinion of them). I am pretty sure that a Democrate will win the next election and all I ask of them with Iraq is that whatever choice they make they stay that course and protect the military lives.
You have a good weekend to,
Cam