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On January 8,2002, President Bush signed into law H.R.1,
P.L. 107-110, popularly known as the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001;
Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.
Contained in this massive bill are many provisions for
districts like Waukegan; greater flexibility and local control combined
with increased accountability for results; emphasis on teaching methods
that have been proven to work; expanded options and choice for parents
whose children attend chronically failing or dangerous schools. Under
the new plan, states would receive formula grants to use how they see
fit for their limited English speaking students, compared to the funds
they previously received for transitional bilingual education (TBE) where
the instruction is conducted in the students' non-English native language.
The states would be required to demonstrate that the students are making
significant progress toward greater fluency in English, or risk losing
a portion of the federal funding.
Federal funding is also tied into the accountability for
results and the requirement that districts with failing schools implement
research-based, proven methodologies of instruction. Financial rewards
will be given to districts demonstrating compliance and improvement; penalties
will be issued to those that do not. To Waukegan's credit, they are already
looking at comprehensive school reform and how they will fulfill this
requirement.
The component making the provisions in the bill retroactive
so children do not have to wait years in a chronically failing or dangerous
school significantly differs from other bills previously signed into law.
Parents eager to advocate for their children will have options like never
before.
For further information on this legislation and its implications,
you may visit:
U.S.
Department of Education
National
Parent Information Network
Education
Week Magazine
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