TC President Arthur Levine pointed out the mismatch between the goals of No Child Left Behind and the implementation of the federal policy. "I think it aimed to strengthen public education," he said, "[but] I think it failed miserably." For example, Levine said, the policy's definition of "highly-qualified teachers" requires no preparation in pedagogy if they have subject-matter preparation alone. "The potential has not been matched in its execution, and what it leaves us with is many, many children who are left behind."

Levine expressed particular concern for inner city schools, saying, "I think that inner cities are only going to get the relief they need when parents take to the streets and say they're mad as hell and aren't going to take it any more. It will take the kind of demonstrations we saw during the 60s for civil rights - and parents using the power of the ballot box."

The article, entitled "No Child Left Behind Gets Failing Grade" appeared in the January 20 edition of the Meadville Tribune.

Published Monday, Mar. 15, 2004