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Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Top U.S. Education Leader Stops in Rockford

Top U.S. Education Leader Stops in Rockford
Top U.S. Education Leader Stops in Rockford
Education Reform Tour Stops in Rockford.

STATELINE (WIFR) -- Superintendents, community members, and teachers from all over the Stateline are giving their opinions on education reform.

Nine years after the 'No Child Left Behind' act was established, top educators want to hear how it can be improved. A nationwide tour stopped in Rockford giving local teachers and leaders their chance to speak up on our school's challenges.

"People complain that 'No Child Left Behind' narrowed the curriculum with too much emphasis on the tested subjects. They complain it mislabeled, they complain the AYP process was unrealistic," Peter Cunningham with the U.S. Assistant Secretary of Communication and Outreach.

The act is currently being revised by the federal government. In 2001, it set higher standards for children in grade school in an effort to close gaps. And while some progress was made in the years after, the Obama administration said test results could be better if there's more competition for federal dollars.

"We are proposing to get rid of AYP. We're proposing a new system that gives a lot more flexibility from all schools and a system that also builds in rewards," Cunningham said.

Cunningham said this could mean more oversight