Wednesday, June 9, 2010

Supreme Court Declines to Review NCLB Decision

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The United States Supreme Court has declined to review the challenge to No Child Left Behind brought by several school districts and teachers unions. Technically, the court denied certiorari in the case of School District of Pontiac, Michigan v. Duncan, et al.

Previously, the United States Circuit Court of Appeals for the Sixth Circuit non-decision tied, 8 to 8, which let stand a U. S. District Court decision dismissing the case. The lawsuit challenged the law as an unfunded mandate. Here is Mark Walsh's blog entry on the case.

For now, at least, No Child Left Behind is safe. Look for the name to change soon though, as the "NCLB" brand has lost favor. It is unfortunate that important public policy decisions are reduced to advertising and marketing analysis, but hey, this is the twenty-first century, baby!

I have an idea, let's have a contest for the rebranding (ie, renaming) of NCLB. How about "every good boy does fine" (remember music class anybody?). How about "45% left behind"? Or perhaps, "God Bless the Child"? Maybe "the children are our future"? Surely, you can top these weak entries! Leave your ideas in a comment.


4 comments:

  1. How about:
    Critical Thinking Skills Not Necessary
    Hands-On Learning Optional
    Students Hindered in Thinking
    * I suppose these would not sell the program very well, although they do describe it adequately.

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  2. newlawyer (formerly lawstudent)June 10, 2010 at 10:03 AM

    call it: "This is what happens when legislators can't agree on providing anywhere close to the same education to other children that their own children get in private schools that the others can't hope to afford." a/k/a "We don't really care about your kids at all."

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  3. Jamie and N.L.,

    Good ideas. How about 'one size fits all"

    Jim

    ReplyDelete
  4. If the child don't fit, you must aquit.

    ReplyDelete