Education Commission of the States

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American Federation of Teachers (AFT)
Summary of Recommendations
NCLB Reauthorization

To better inform the national debate on No Child Left Behind (NCLB) reauthorization, ECS collected and synthesized recommendations by national organizations to improve the federal law.

ECS' database is organized around 16 issue areas that captured most recommendations. Some organizations did not offer recommendations for all issues, at least according to our analysis. And several recommendations appear more than once since they applied to multiple issue areas.

The summary of the American Federation of Teachers' (AFT) original recommendations are listed in this report. Please see the main database page for additional reports.

Highlights
Issues addressed: 11 of 16
Adequate Yearly Progress; Assessment, Standards and Curriculum; Consequences and Interventions; Data Systems and Reporting; Early Childhood; English Language Learners; Finance; Students with Disabilities; Supplemental Education Services; Teaching Quality; and Miscellaneous/Overarching.

Issues not addressed: 5 of 16
Capacity, Innovation and Research & Development; High School; Other Programs; School Safety; and School Leadership.

Areas of emphasis:
Assessment, Standards and Curriculum; Consequences and Interventions; and Adequate Yearly Progress.

Source:
NCLB – Let’s Get It Right: AFT’s Recommendations for No Child Left Behind (July 2006)

Visit ECS' Database on NCLB Reauthorization main page for more information, explanations and access to organizations' original reports. Please note that ECS plans to expand the database as more information becomes available.

Database Last Updated: July 2007

This database was created and compiled by Mary Fulton, ECS policy analyst.
For questions and comments: 303.299.3679 or mfulton@ecs.org

NCLB Reauthorization : American Federation of Teachers (AFT)

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

AYP 1 - Summary of Recommendation Give credit for school progress and/or proficiency under AYP.

AYP 2 - Summary of Recommendation Distinguish truly struggling schools from those that need limited assistance under AYP.

AYP 3 - Summary of Recommendation Require states to develop “learning environment index” for schools and mandate states and districts to address problem areas.

AYP 4 - Summary of Recommendation Offer grants for states to develop common standards, curriculum and assessments for more consistency in proficiency and growth definitions.

AYP 5 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure state accountability systems fairly and accurately measure student progress and achievement.

AYP 6 - Summary of Recommendation Maintain disaggregated student achievement reports, but change numerous ways to fail and only one way to “make” AYP.

Assessment, Standards and Curriculum (ASC)

ASC 1 - Summary of Recommendation Prohibit unnecessary and duplicative student testing.

ASC 2 - Summary of Recommendation Reduce schools’ exclusive focus on reading and math.

ASC 3 - Summary of Recommendation Offer grants for states to develop common standards, curriculum and assessments for more consistency in proficiency and growth definitions.

ASC 4 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure state accountability systems fairly and accurately measure student progress and achievement, and are tied to standards and assessments.

ASC 5 - Summary of Recommendation Allow IEP teams to determine students with disabilities' participation in state assessments.

ASC 6 - Summary of Recommendation Require states to develop tests and guidelines for ELL student accommodations.

ASC 7 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure state tests are valid and reliable for ELL students when part of accountability.

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Consequences and Interventions (CI)

CI 1 - Summary of Recommendation Distinguish truly struggling schools from those that need limited assistance under AYP.

CI 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide schools/districts resources and flexibility to implement research-based interventions.

CI 3 - Summary of Recommendation Target school interventions to students who are not proficient.

CI 4 - Summary of Recommendation Redesign schools that receive help and continue to decline need.

CI 5 - Summary of Recommendation Continue interventions for at least three years after schools exit “in need of improvement” status.

CI 6 - Summary of Recommendation Require states to develop “learning environment index” for schools and mandate states and districts address problem areas.

CI 7 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure school interventions are research based and use appropriate remedies to improve student performance.

Data Systems and Reporting (DSR)

DSR 1 - Summary of Recommendation Maintain disaggregated student achievement reports, but change numerous ways to fail and only one way to “make” AYP.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

ECE 1 - Summary of Recommendation Provide universal, high-quality early learning programs to all children.

English Language Learners (ELL)

ELL 1 - Summary of Recommendation Require states to develop tests and guidelines for ELL student accommodations.

ELL 2 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure state tests are valid and reliable for ELL students when part of accountability.

Funding Issues (FI)

FI 1 - Summary of Recommendation Offer grants for states to develop common standards, curriculum and assessments for more consistency in proficiency and growth definitions.

FI 2 - Summary of Recommendation Fund NCLB at levels promised in 2001 reauthorization.

High Schools (HS)

HS 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Other Programs (OP)

OP 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations found for this issue.

Safe Schools (SS)

SS 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

School Leadership (SL)

SL 1 - Summary of Recommendation No recommendations identified for this issue.

Students with Disabilities (SWD)

SWD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow IEP teams to determine students with disabilities' participation in state assessments.

Supplemental Education Services (SES)

SES 1 - Summary of Recommendation Require SES providers to use research-based methods, employ NCLB-qualified instructors and follow discrimination rules.

Teaching Quality (TQ)

TQ 1 - Summary of Recommendation Require district incentives to attract and retain qualified teachers in low performing schools.

TQ 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide research-based professional development and curricular supports for teachers and paraprofessionals.

TQ 3 - Summary of Recommendation Require inservice and preservice training and professional development for paraprofessionals.

TQ 4 - Summary of Recommendation Revise highly qualified requirements to consider special education, middle school and other teachers.

Miscellaneous/Overarching (Misc.)

Misc. 1 - Summary of Recommendation Maintain closing achievement gap focus, set challenging but attainable goals and hold all students and schools accountable for results.

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Helping State Leaders Shape Education Policy

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
AYP 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Give credit for school progress and/or proficiency under AYP.
AYP 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Distinguish truly struggling schools from those that need limited assistance under AYP.
AYP 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Require states to develop “learning environment index” for schools and mandate states and districts to address problem areas.
AYP 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Offer grants for states to develop common standards, curriculum and assessments for more consistency in proficiency and growth definitions.
AYP 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure state accountability systems fairly and accurately measure student progress and achievement.
AYP 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Maintain disaggregated student achievement reports, but change numerous ways to fail and only one way to “make” AYP.
Assessment, Standards and Curriculum (ASC)
ASC 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Prohibit unnecessary and duplicative student testing.
ASC 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Reduce schools’ exclusive focus on reading and math.
ASC 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Offer grants for states to develop common standards, curriculum and assessments for more consistency in proficiency and growth definitions.
ASC 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure state accountability systems fairly and accurately measure student progress and achievement, and are tied to standards and assessments.
ASC 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow IEP teams to determine students with disabilities' participation in state assessments.
ASC 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Require states to develop tests and guidelines for ELL student accommodations.
ASC 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure state tests are valid and reliable for ELL students when part of accountability.
Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Consequences and Interventions (CI)
CI 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Distinguish truly struggling schools from those that need limited assistance under AYP.
CI 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide schools/districts resources and flexibility to implement research-based interventions.
CI 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Target school interventions to students who are not proficient.
CI 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Redesign schools that receive help and continue to decline need.
CI 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Continue interventions for at least three years after schools exit “in need of improvement” status.
CI 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Require states to develop “learning environment index” for schools and mandate states and districts address problem areas.
CI 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure school interventions are research based and use appropriate remedies to improve student performance.
Data Systems and Reporting (DSR)
DSR 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Maintain disaggregated student achievement reports, but change numerous ways to fail and only one way to “make” AYP.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
ECE 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide universal, high-quality early learning programs to all children.
English Language Learners (ELL)
ELL 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Require states to develop tests and guidelines for ELL student accommodations.
ELL 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure state tests are valid and reliable for ELL students when part of accountability.
Funding Issues (FI)
FI 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Offer grants for states to develop common standards, curriculum and assessments for more consistency in proficiency and growth definitions.
FI 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Fund NCLB at levels promised in 2001 reauthorization.
High Schools (HS)
HS 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Other Programs (OP)
OP 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations found for this issue.
Safe Schools (SS)
SS 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
School Leadership (SL)
SL 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
Students with Disabilities (SWD)
SWD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow IEP teams to determine students with disabilities' participation in state assessments.
Supplemental Education Services (SES)
SES 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Require SES providers to use research-based methods, employ NCLB-qualified instructors and follow discrimination rules.
Teaching Quality (TQ)
TQ 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Require district incentives to attract and retain qualified teachers in low performing schools.
TQ 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide research-based professional development and curricular supports for teachers and paraprofessionals.
TQ 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Require inservice and preservice training and professional development for paraprofessionals.
TQ 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Revise highly qualified requirements to consider special education, middle school and other teachers.
Miscellaneous/Overarching (Misc.)
Misc. 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Maintain closing achievement gap focus, set challenging but attainable goals and hold all students and schools accountable for results.