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One more push for NCLB Reauthorization before the Election

By Justin Bathon

The rumors are starting to swirl again on NCLB Reauthorization. It seems Sen. Ted Kennedy and House Education Committee leaders are interested in giving NCLB Reauthorization one more push in the coming months before the election. While many still feel it is unlikely, including myself, Sen. Kennedy has amazed in the past and given his alliance with Sen. Obama, the possible Democratic nominee may not stand in the way if Sen. Kennedy wants to push forward. Certainly it seems that Sen. McCain would likely not stand in the way as education reform is not one of the central issues of his campaign and does not even appear as an "issue" on his website. The candidate most likely to stand in the way of any reauthorization effort is probably Sen. Clinton as she has been especially critical of Sen. Kennedy and NCLB (even thought she voted for it). So, depending on how the Democratic nomination fight plays out, reauthorization may be a possibility.

Personally, at this point, I would rather see it wait for next Spring. I know there is value in making changes as soon as possible, but I would rather the new leadership in the Whitehouse have a chance to make a big change in education policy rather than just tinkering with the existing framework. If we wait, just as with President Bush, the new president will have a chance to make education central to their domestic policy agenda goals in the first 100 days and I would look forward to that national conversation instead of the likely backroom deals that will be necessary to pass reauthorization in the next couple months.

We'll see what happens and there is no reason yet to get excited about reauthorization, but keep an eye on it especially if Sen. Obama and Sen. McCain are the nominees.

Full post as published by Edjurist on February 14, 2008 (boomark / email).