Even under ordinary circumstances, the NCLB motivates teachers to spend more time teaching standardized test-taking and less time on substantive teaching.
The other principal set of interrelated problems currently plaguing American education is that teachers are underpaid, there is little if any correlation between performance and compensation, and tenure policies make it virtually impossible to remove bad teachers once they have achieved tenure. As a result, the teaching profession cannot attract top talent, simply because the highest performing graduates have no incentive to take on high-stress, low-paying jobs where they cannot earn more based on their superior performance. In light of the tremendous importance of improving the American education system for the well-being of the country, public education must make only very limited use of standardized testing....
Federal subsidies should be used to create meaningful incentives to encourage some of the most talented and brightest to pursue teaching careers instead of relegating the entire profession mainly to those who are unable to compete for more desirable private-sector jobs. Once in the profession, teachers must be able to earn tenure and higher compensation through their superior performance rather than merely by their seniority. Finally, the benefits of tenure in the teaching profession must incorporate requirements and stipulations about maintaining high-level performance instead of providing an absolute barrier to removing teachers for low performance.
Sources Consulted
Caillier J. (2007). "No Child Left Behind Act: Are States on Target to Make Their
Goals?" Journal of Negro Education. Retrieved September 12, 2010, from:
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qa3626/is_200710/ai_n25139930/pg_10
Darling-Hammond L. "NCLB Implementation Challenges: The Local Superintendent's
View" Peabody Journal of Education, Vol. 80; (2004): 156-169.
Ripley, A. "A Call to Action for
Public Schools." Time, Vol 176, No. 12; (2010): 32-42.
Whitehurst, G.J. "Higher Education and the Economy" Brookings Institute (August 9,
2010). Retrieved September 12, 2010, from the Brookings Institute public website http://www.brookings.edu/opinions/2010/0809_obama_college_whitehurst.aspx
