WHEREAS, the federal No Child Left Behind Act requires public schools to document extraordinary academic achievement gains by all students under very strict time lines; and
WHEREAS, the federal act imposes serious sanctions on schools failing to meet its academic achievement targets; and
WHEREAS, those sanctions and the requirements for determining Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) may actually create a disincentive for schools to attract and retain hard-to-serve students; and
WHEREAS, the fiscal year 2004 education appropriations bill currently under consideration by Senate and House conferees in the U.S. Congress under-funds Title I of the No Child Left Behind Act by over $6 billion; and
WHEREAS, Oregon’s revenue shortfall has seriously undermined the ability of school districts to implement local strategies, programs and services to improve the academic achievement of all students even to the extent required by the state’s Educational Act for the 21st Century.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE
IT RESOLVED that the Oregon School Boards Association urges the U.S. Congress to live up to its commitment and adequately fund its No Child Left Behind Act mandate.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Oregon School Boards Association urges the U.S. Congress, Education Secretary Paige and the U.S. Department of Education to afford states and local school districts maximum flexibility in implementing the requirements of the No Child Left Behind Act in view of the significant shortage in federal and state elementary/secondary school funding.
BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that a copy of this resolution shall be sent to Secretary Paige and each member of the Oregon Congressional Delegation.
