Education Law

Could Obama and the new Congress find common ground on education?

Valerie Strauss of The Washington Post has an interresting perspective on how President Barack Obama and the new Congress may embrace education issues.

Strauss notes:

Republicans have been nothing but obstructionist toward Obama’s domestic agenda. But many Republicans and Obama Democrats meet in the middle on key education issues, so there is some thought, including in the White House, that enough common ground can be found to reauthorize No Child Left Behind at some point in the next two years. Obama may be willing to give up a lot to get a legislative success in his last two years.

Even if NCLB is not reauthorized, and even if, as is likely, no more money is approved for Race to the Top, Obama’s key education initiative so far, there are key elements of the Obama education agenda that Republicans will surely find attractive.

Education Secretary Arne Duncan wants to create a new generation of standardized tests in more subjects than now exist — which will mean more money for big education companies; what Republican is going to oppose that?

Obama’s education reforms are aimed at treating schools as if they were businesses. Again, what Republican won’t embrace that?

BoardBuzz wonders if education issues could be a key area where Obama, Democrats,  and  Republicans find common ground?

Full post as published by BoardBuzz: NSBA's Daily Weblog on November 03, 2010 (boomark / email).