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What Does the Public Think about NCLB?

While supporting the stated goals of No Child Left Behind – in particular, the effort to bridge 'achievement gaps' – Americans are increasingly skeptical of the law's methods and assumptions, according to a Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll released on 22 August 2006.

• Nearly six in 10 respondents believe that NCLB has either had no effect or has done actual harm to public schools; only 26% say the law is helping.
• While NCLB holds schools alone "accountable" for achievement gaps between white and minority students, 77% of Americans blame societal factors, while only 19% cite the quality of schooling.
• More than two-thirds of the public oppose the use of a single standardized test to measure "adequate yearly progress."
• 81% expressed concerns about narrowing the curriculum to just two subjects, language arts and math.
• 80% opposed NCLB's provision allowing students to transfer out of "failing schools"; 69% said these schools should not be turned over to the management of private companies.
• 75% believe that special education students should not be expected to meet the same academic standards as all students.
• The more Americans know about NCLB, the less likely they are to support the law. Of those who reported following education issues closely, 47% view the law unfavorably while 42% view it favorably.

The PDK/Gallup poll is the nation's most detailed survey on attitudes toward schools and school reform. Among the policy implications of the survey, as Congress prepares to reauthorize the law, PDK noted:

• "Current approval levels for NCLB and the extent to which the public rejects the strategies used combine to make it almost impossible for NCLB to succeed without significant changes."
• "If the true purpose of those sponsoring NCLB is to improve student achievement and close the achievement gap, they will move quickly to fix the flaws in the law."
• "If the public’s view is accurate, then the nation’s schools are spending virtually all of their available money and resources on an effort to meet the demands of a law that is, at best, making no difference in local schools and, at worst, hurting them."

Click here to download the full survey results.