Abstract...final (unless my info changes)

This proposal will take an in-depth look at No Child Left Behind and its effects on the American education system. I will conduct research in order to understand every aspect of No Child Left Behind, while focusing on its goals, consequences, and [use of tax dollars—figure out] in order to later show that the government should repeal this national regulation. The goal of this proposal is to not only provide me with enough information to create an alternative for No Child Left Behind, but to also prove to the audience that my alternative is better than No Child Left Behind and should replace it. The introduction will consist of three areas: Background, Review of Literature, and Statement of the Project Problem. The background will include the most information, as the other sections of the proposal will be used for describing the parameters of the alternative and will serve as the persuasion portions that will ultimately sway the reader into seeing No Child Left Behind as it really is. The Review of Literature is where my resources will be dissected to see their true value, using the guidelines set fourth in OPVL (origin, purpose, value, and limitation) process. The Statement of the Project Problem will further define No Child Left Behind, how it is ineffective in our education system, and provide my hypothesis for removal and replacement of No Child Left Behind.

Initial Introduction to my proposal

No Child Left Behind is an educational act placed into law by George W. Bush in 2001 to ensure consistent growth and improvement in American primary and secondary schools. The act was created on the theory of standards-based education reform, which is an idea of creating clearly defined rigorous standards for students in school to guarantee their success after high school. The idea behind No Child Left Behind is to apply this idea in a more uniformed way; holding all schools in America to the same set of standards. The theoretical outcome is for all students to perform at the same level and be equivalent to each other when they exit high school.

The goals, as defined on the No Child Left Behind website, are similar to that of the standards-based education reform. No Child Left Behind based its goals on the following four “pillars”.

Stronger Accountability for Results
Under No Child Left Behind, states are working to close the achievement gap and make sure all students, including those who are disadvantaged, achieve academic proficiency... Schools that do not make progress must provide supplemental services, such as free tutoring or after-school assistance; take corrective actions; and, if still not making adequate yearly progress after five years, make dramatic changes to the way the school is run.

More Freedom for States and Communities
Under No Child Left Behind, states and school districts have unprecedented flexibility in how they use federal education funds. For example, it is possible for most school districts to transfer up to 50 percent of the federal formula grant funds they receive under the Improving Teacher Quality State Grants, Educational Technology, Innovative Programs, and Safe and Drug-Free Schools programs to any one of these programs, or to their Title I program, without separate approval. This allows districts to use funds for their particular needs, such as hiring new teachers, increasing teacher pay, and improving teacher training and professional development.

Proven Education Methods
No Child Left Behind puts emphasis on determining which educational programs and practices have been proven effective through rigorous scientific research. Federal funding is targeted to support these programs and teaching methods that work to improve student learning and achievement. In reading, for example, No Child Left Behind supports scientifically based instruction programs in the early grades under the Reading First program and in preschool under the Early Reading First program.

More Choices for Parents
Parents of children in low-performing schools have new options under No Child Left Behind. In schools that do not meet state standards for at least two consecutive years, parents may transfer their children to a better-performing public school, including a public charter school, within their district. The district must provide transportation, using Title I funds if necessary. Students from low-income families in schools that fail to meet state standards for at least three years are eligible to receive supplemental educational services, including tutoring, after-school services, and summer school. Also, students who attend a persistently dangerous school or are the victim of a violent crime while in their school have the option to attend a safe school within their district.
--Direct from the NCLB website—find citation method or correct way--

Under these guidelines, No Child Left Behind has declared its presence in all schools in America. The previous “pillars” will also serve as the foundation on which this proposal will base the majority of its initial analyses.

Why do we or should we care? Find tax info for adults and why this program is wasting their tax dollars. For students, why it isn’t helping them get to college and wasting their time.

One of the primary disparagement Standardized test for the un-standardized. Starting to teach the test just to meet the requirements and not really learning.

Based on proven educational methods, but not working. Similar to a utopia: it seems good on paper and in theory, because it doesn’t take into account the human element