Education Commission of the States

Education Commission of the States • 700 Broadway, Suite 1200 • Denver, CO 80203-3460 • 303.299.3600 • Fax: 303.296.8332 • www.ecs.org

National Education Association (NEA)
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 National Education Association's (NEA) original recommendations are listed in this report. Please see the main database page for additional reports.

Highlights
Issues addressed: 14 of 16
Adequate Yearly Progress; Assessment, Standards and Curriculum; Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development; Consequences and Interventions; Data Systems and Reporting; Early Childhood; English Language Learners; Finance; High Schools; Other Programs; School Leadership; Students with Disabilities; Supplemental Education Services; and Teaching Quality.

Issues not addressed: 2 of 16
Safe Schools; and Miscellaneous/Overarching.

Areas of emphasis:
Teaching Quality; Finance; Assessment, Standards and Curriculum; and Other Programs.

Source:
ESEA: It’s Time for a Change! NEA's Positive Agenda for the ESEA Reauthorization (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 : National Education Association (NEA)

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)

AYP 1 - Summary of Recommendation Base AYP on multiple measures of student learning and school success.

AYP 2 - Summary of Recommendation Give states flexibility with accountability systems and which grades to test.

AYP 3 - Summary of Recommendation Allow use of growth models to measure progress, but not to penalize schools.

AYP 4 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure assessment and accountability systems align with standards and curricula, improve student learning and do not narrow curricula.

AYP 5 - Summary of Recommendation Apply accountability systems to high schools without increasing dropout rates.

Assessment, Standards and Curriculum (ASC)

ASC 1 - Summary of Recommendation Give states flexibility with accountability systems and which grades to test.

ASC 2 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure assessments are valid, reliable and provide common-sense flexibility for all student groups.

ASC 3 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure assessment and accountability systems align with standards and curricula, improve student learning and do not narrow curricula.

ASC 4 - Summary of Recommendation Create grant program to ensure schools offer a comprehensive curriculum.

ASC 5 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure standards and assessments include skills and knowledge necessary for work and civic life in 21st century.

ASC 6 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for assessments that measure higher order thinking skills.

ASC 7 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.

ASC 8 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for states/districts to administer assessments and to collect and interpret testing data.

Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)

CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Assist schools with using money more effectively.

CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding to assist states/districts with administering assessments and with collecting and interpreting test data.

Consequences and Interventions (CI)

CI 1 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure accountability systems provide and target support and assistance to schools/districts most in need of improvement.

CI 2 - Summary of Recommendation Intervene in schools that fail to improve after receiving additional resources and assistance.

CI 3 - Summary of Recommendation Allow time to implement improvement plans before applying sanctions; apply sanctions only when same subgroup fails same subject; target choice and SES to groups that fail AYP; and provide SES before school choice.

CI 4 - Summary of Recommendation Provide separate funding for school improvement and technical assistance programs.

CI 5 - Summary of Recommendation Apply AYP consequences to schools only when Title I is funded at authorized level.

CI 6 - Summary of Recommendation Provide separate funding stream for SES and school choice.

Data Systems and Reporting (DSR)

DSR 1 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding to assist states/districts with administering assessments, and collecting and interpreting test data.

Early Childhood Education (ECE)

ECE 1 - Summary of Recommendation Fund additional programs, including child nutrition and health, Head Start, IDEA and child care.

English Language Learners (ELL)

ELL 1 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure assessments are valid, reliable and provide common-sense flexibility for all student groups, including ELL students.

ELL 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.

Funding Issues (FI)

FI 1 - Summary of Recommendation Create grant program to ensure schools offer comprehensive curriculum.

FI 2 - Summary of Recommendation Fund ESEA programs at authorized levels.

FI 3 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure states and districts have adequate funding to implement NCLB mandates by enforcing Sec. 9527(a) of law.

FI 4 - Summary of Recommendation Provide separate funding stream for school improvement and technical assistance programs.

FI 5 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for assessments that measure higher order thinking skills.

FI 6 - Summary of Recommendation Apply AYP consequences to schools only when Title I funded at authorized level.

FI 7 - Summary of Recommendation Provide separate funding stream for SES and school choice.

FI 8 - Summary of Recommendation Provide adequate funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.

FI 9 - Summary of Recommendation Assist schools with using money more effectively.

High Schools (HS)

HS 1 - Summary of Recommendation Apply accountability systems to high schools without increasing dropout rates.

Other Programs (OP)

OP 1 - Summary of Recommendation Restore Class Size Reduction program to provide class size of 15 students.

OP 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide grants and tax subsidies for school building upgrades for smaller classes.

OP 3 - Summary of Recommendation Provide hard-to-staff schools with sufficient, well-trained administrators and support professionals.

OP 4 - Summary of Recommendation Encourage school-parent compacts that list involvement expectations and opportunities.

OP 5 - Summary of Recommendation Provide programs and resources to make schools hub of communities.

OP 6 - Summary of Recommendation Expand funding for Parent Information and Resource Centers (PIRC) program.

OP 7 - Summary of Recommendation Include effective parental communication and engagement strategies in teacher professional development.

OP 8 - Summary of Recommendation Create employer incentives or requirements allowing parents to participate in school activities.

Safe Schools (SS)

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

School Leadership (SL)

SL 1 - Summary of Recommendation Provide hard-to-staff schools with sufficient, well-trained administrators and support professionals.

Students with Disabilities (SWD)

SWD 1 - Summary of Recommendation Ensure assessments are appropriate, valid and reliable for all groups of students, including students with disabilities and ELL students.

SWD 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.

Supplemental Education Services (SES)

SES 1 - Summary of Recommendation Allow time to implement improvement plans before applying sanctions; apply sanctions only when same subgroup fails same subject; target choice and SES to groups that fail AYP; provide SES before school choice.

SES 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide separate funding stream for SES and school choice.

Teaching Quality (TQ)

TQ 1 - Summary of Recommendation Align Title II Teacher Quality State Grant program with National Staff Development Council (NSDC) standards.

TQ 2 - Summary of Recommendation Provide federally funded salary enhancements for teachers who achieve National Board Certification.

TQ 3 - Summary of Recommendation Create grant program to compensate teachers who take on new roles to assist colleagues.

TQ 4 - Summary of Recommendation Provide development and education opportunities for support professionals.

TQ 5 - Summary of Recommendation Provide federal grants to pair new teachers with experienced mentor teachers.

TQ 6 - Summary of Recommendation Provide financial incentives for teachers and support professionals who work in low-performing or high-poverty schools.

TQ 7 - Summary of Recommendation Provide hard-to-staff schools with sufficient, well-trained administrators and support professionals, including paraeducators.

TQ 8 - Summary of Recommendation Provide adequate time for paraeducators transferred to Title I schools to meet highly qualified standards.

TQ 9 - Summary of Recommendation Grant reciprocity across states and districts for highly qualified paraeducators.

TQ 10 - Summary of Recommendation Revise highly qualified teacher definition to recognize state licensure/certification and eliminate nonessential requirements and loopholes.

TQ 11 - Summary of Recommendation Provide additional time for teachers to become highly qualified if significant implementation problems have occurred.

TQ 12 - Summary of Recommendation Include effective parental communication and engagement strategies in teacher professional development.

Miscellaneous/Overarching (Misc.)

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

© 2008 by the Education Commission of the States (ECS). All rights reserved. ECS is a nonprofit interstate compact that helps state leaders shape education policy.

To request permission to excerpt part of this publication, either in print or electronically, please fax a request to the attention of the ECS Communications Department, 303.296.8332 or e-mail ecs@ecs.org.

Helping State Leaders Shape Education Policy

Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP)
AYP 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Base AYP on multiple measures of student learning and school success.
AYP 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Give states flexibility with accountability systems and which grades to test.
AYP 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow use of growth models to measure progress, but not to penalize schools.
AYP 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure assessment and accountability systems align with standards and curricula, improve student learning and do not narrow curricula.
AYP 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Apply accountability systems to high schools without increasing dropout rates.
Assessment, Standards and Curriculum (ASC)
ASC 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Give states flexibility with accountability systems and which grades to test.
ASC 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure assessments are valid, reliable and provide common-sense flexibility for all student groups.
ASC 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure assessment and accountability systems align with standards and curricula, improve student learning and do not narrow curricula.
ASC 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Create grant program to ensure schools offer a comprehensive curriculum.
ASC 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure standards and assessments include skills and knowledge necessary for work and civic life in 21st century.
ASC 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for assessments that measure higher order thinking skills.
ASC 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.
ASC 8 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for states/districts to administer assessments and to collect and interpret testing data.
Capacity Building, Innovation and Research & Development (CIRD)
CIRD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Assist schools with using money more effectively.
CIRD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding to assist states/districts with administering assessments and with collecting and interpreting test data.
Consequences and Interventions (CI)
CI 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure accountability systems provide and target support and assistance to schools/districts most in need of improvement.
CI 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Intervene in schools that fail to improve after receiving additional resources and assistance.
CI 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow time to implement improvement plans before applying sanctions; apply sanctions only when same subgroup fails same subject; target choice and SES to groups that fail AYP; and provide SES before school choice.
CI 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide separate funding for school improvement and technical assistance programs.
CI 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Apply AYP consequences to schools only when Title I is funded at authorized level.
CI 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide separate funding stream for SES and school choice.
Data Systems and Reporting (DSR)
DSR 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding to assist states/districts with administering assessments, and collecting and interpreting test data.
Early Childhood Education (ECE)
ECE 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Fund additional programs, including child nutrition and health, Head Start, IDEA and child care.
English Language Learners (ELL)
ELL 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure assessments are valid, reliable and provide common-sense flexibility for all student groups, including ELL students.
ELL 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.
Funding Issues (FI)
FI 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Create grant program to ensure schools offer comprehensive curriculum.
FI 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Fund ESEA programs at authorized levels.
FI 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure states and districts have adequate funding to implement NCLB mandates by enforcing Sec. 9527(a) of law.
FI 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide separate funding stream for school improvement and technical assistance programs.
FI 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for assessments that measure higher order thinking skills.
FI 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Apply AYP consequences to schools only when Title I funded at authorized level.
FI 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide separate funding stream for SES and school choice.
FI 8 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide adequate funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.
FI 9 - Summary of Recommendation	Assist schools with using money more effectively.
High Schools (HS)
HS 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Apply accountability systems to high schools without increasing dropout rates.
Other Programs (OP)
OP 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Restore Class Size Reduction program to provide class size of 15 students.
OP 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide grants and tax subsidies for school building upgrades for smaller classes.
OP 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide hard-to-staff schools with sufficient, well-trained administrators and support professionals.
OP 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Encourage school-parent compacts that list involvement expectations and opportunities.
OP 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide programs and resources to make schools hub of communities.
OP 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Expand funding for Parent Information and Resource Centers (PIRC) program.
OP 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Include effective parental communication and engagement strategies in teacher professional development.
OP 8 - Summary of Recommendation	Create employer incentives or requirements allowing parents to participate in school activities.
Safe Schools (SS)
SS 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.
School Leadership (SL)
SL 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide hard-to-staff schools with sufficient, well-trained administrators and support professionals.
Students with Disabilities (SWD)
SWD 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Ensure assessments are appropriate, valid and reliable for all groups of students, including students with disabilities and ELL students.
SWD 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide funding for appropriate assessments for students with disabilities and ELL students.
Supplemental Education Services (SES)
SES 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Allow time to implement improvement plans before applying sanctions; apply sanctions only when same subgroup fails same subject; target choice and SES to groups that fail AYP; provide SES before school choice.
SES 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide separate funding stream for SES and school choice.
Teaching Quality (TQ)
TQ 1 - Summary of Recommendation	Align Title II Teacher Quality State Grant program with National Staff Development Council (NSDC) standards.
TQ 2 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide federally funded salary enhancements for teachers who achieve National Board Certification.
TQ 3 - Summary of Recommendation	Create grant program to compensate teachers who take on new roles to assist colleagues.
TQ 4 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide development and education opportunities for support professionals.
TQ 5 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide federal grants to pair new teachers with experienced mentor teachers.
TQ 6 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide financial incentives for teachers and support professionals who work in low-performing or high-poverty schools.
TQ 7 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide hard-to-staff schools with sufficient, well-trained administrators and support professionals, including paraeducators.
TQ 8 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide adequate time for paraeducators transferred to Title I schools to meet highly qualified standards.
TQ 9 - Summary of Recommendation	Grant reciprocity across states and districts for highly qualified paraeducators.
TQ 10 - Summary of Recommendation	Revise highly qualified teacher definition to recognize state licensure/certification and eliminate nonessential requirements and loopholes.
TQ 11 - Summary of Recommendation	Provide additional time for teachers to become highly qualified if significant implementation problems have occurred.
TQ 12 - Summary of Recommendation	Include effective parental communication and engagement strategies in teacher professional development.
Miscellaneous/Overarching (Misc.)
Misc. 1 - Summary of Recommendation	No recommendations identified for this issue.