I've read a book "The World is Flat" by
Thomas Friedman, which is a book
about the global economy and where
American students fit into it. Years of
little accountability within America's
public school system have left students
unprepared to compete in this global
economy, so I support the goals of No
Child Left Behind. Many children in the
United States are seemingly unable to
improve their test scores on state, national,
and international exams. I do believe
that No Child Left Behind needs more
flexibility so that decisions can be made
in the best interest of each individual child.
Although federal funding for elementary
and secondary schools has increased 39%
since 2001, the federal government must
be cautious not to issue "unfunded mandates"
to states and local school districts.
