President Barack Obama stated recently that states can ask
for waivers to leave the strictest guidelines of the No Child Left Behind legislation. This is true for all students even those who
are physically/mentally challenged.
However, to receive a waiver all students must be “college and
employment ready.”
“The goals behind No Child Left Behind were admirable,”
Obama said. “But experience has taught us that, in its implementation, No Child
Left Behind had some serious flaws that are hurting our children instead of
helping them.”
The No Child Left Behind Act was made law on January 8,
2002. The focus of the law is to
guarantee children in all classes equipped teachers, studies based on research,
and a safe learning atmosphere to obtain knowledge. President Obama feels that by giving states
an opportunity to get these waivers, it will allow for “more flexibility to achieve
high standards.”
The statements from the President come from anger in the
White House because Congress hasn’t discussed changing No Child Left Behind. Representatives of the White House state that
these changes will help hold students with physical/mental challenges to
elevated expectations, and that will continue to be the case. Opponents of the President’s statements
state that expecting physically/mentally challenged students to achieve just as
much as their able-bodied classmates isn’t practical.
No Child Left Behind: http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2011/09/23/obama-high-bar-disabilities/14100/
