Strengths and Weaknesses of No Child Left Behind

No Child Left Behind has some great intentions and ideas, but its effects have done otherwise. Budget cuts and NCLB have given many districts reasons for downsizing or even eliminating art programs in their schools in order to put their spending towards making AYP. No Child Left Behind does include arts in its ten core courses but does not support arts as much as Math, Science, and Technology.

Also, the courses that are focused on the most such as Math and English are not challenging enough for many students and tend to hold them back from what they could really achieve. No Child Left Behind sets a standard of mediocrity when many children are at different stages of learning. Also, No Child Left Behind sets extremely high standards for some disabled students. This is beneficial and not at the same time. This makes teachers more responsible for making sure disabled students get the attention they need, but it also makes it difficult for disabled students who do not have the ability to meet the standard that is expected of them.

There are inherently great ideas behind No Child Left Behind, and hopefully, President Obama will focus on improving on No Child Left Behind’s ideas in order to have better effects in the schools of the United States. Funding and the lowering of drop out rates is essential in improving our school districts and making our students educated citizens. Also, a well-rounded education that includes the arts and other courses in addition to Math, English, Science, and Technology is extremely important in being an educated citizen.