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How could The ASHA Leader publish such an optimistic article about the Elementary and Secondary Education Act ("No Child Left Behind;" Nov. 4, 2003;)? Does ASHA not realize that thousands of high-quality schools (including my own school) are coming under attack as being "deficient" according to the absurd requirements of the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act? Does ASHA not realize that most of the funding for NCLB is being used for the preparation, administration, and scoring of these high-stakes paper-and-pencil tests, and that the promised federal funding for remediation of deficits is not being provided? Rather than helping our school districts implement strategies that are proven to be effective (smaller class sizes, parent involvement, quality teaching), NCLB is forcing school districts to redirect precious funds to additional standardized testing and paperwork. NCLB is seriously flawed. The National Education Association has proposed 47 amendments to the law and is working with members of Congress to make the necessary changes. Based on the article in The ASHA Leader, one could assume that ASHA is supporting NCLB and has no idea of the threats that it presents.
Dorothy Olson
Stevens Point, WI
Editor's Note: An ASHA working group is reviewing the NCLB act, and ASHA has not taken a position at this time.
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