Garrett sees school-plan benefit

Mar 16, 2010 — Tulsa World

Jim Myers

Mar. 16, 2010 (McClatchy-Tribune Regional News delivered by Newstex) -- WASHINGTON -- Oklahoma school Superintendent Sandy Garrett said Monday she was pleased the Obama administration's proposed overhaul of the landmark No Child Left Behind law would drop strict targets and give states more flexibility.

Garrett, however, expressed concern over the proposal's use of competitive grants and their impact on funding equity.

"Is there going to be enough money and support?" she asked about the administration's effort to place a number of areas into competitions similar to the on-going Race to the Top.

Garrett commented following the administration's multiday roll-out of its proposed overhaul of the current Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Signed in 2002 amid great fanfare by the Bush administration, that law titled No Child Left Behind laid out benchmarks for schools to meet.

It also drew its share of controversy through the years, specifically for what some saw as its emphasis on punishing schools, and it is blamed for actually lowering standards.

Although the administration referenced the No Child Left Behind moniker Monday in its official announcement of the overhaul, officials have made it clear the new reauthorization law will be named anything but that.

U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan said NCLB says that a fifth-grade teacher who helps a student reading at a second-grade level reach a fourth-grade level within one year has missed the goal.

"In fact, that teacher is an excellent teacher and should be

applauded," Duncan said.

He officially unveiled the administration's "A Blueprint for Reform" that is designed to emphasize flexibility, resources and accountability.

One key priority in the proposal would ask states to set standards to prepare their students for college and the workplace and then create accountability systems that recognize students' growth in hitting those standards.

States still would focus on schools that persistently fail to close achievement gaps, but for those that succeed, states and local districts would have more flexibility to determine appropriate improvement.

"I think that is going to be good, particularly in urban areas," Garrett said.

Not only does that approach do away with the strict targets in current law, she said, it allows for growth models to be used.

"There were many good things that happened under No Child Left Behind," she said.

"But there were also some regressive things that didn't help move children along."

Under the administration's proposal, Garrett said, math, reading and science will remain important measurements, but states also can bring other factors to the table.

Concerning the competitive grants being pushed by the administration, Garrett said she understands putting carrots out there for certain goals but wonders how states will end up when it comes to funding.

"The devil is in the details," she said.

"You need to see the rules."

Garrett cited the ongoing Race-to-the-Top competition, which are funded through the federal American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 and rewards states that come up with innovative reforms to "accelerate" student achievement gains.

Oklahoma entered that competition but was not among the 16 finalists announced recently by Duncan.

The state is expected to compete in Phase 2, but Duncan has yet to release details for that round.

Jim Myers (202) 224-0241

jim.myers@tulsaworld.com

Newstex ID: KRTB-0205-42961182