NCLB in the News Again

Michelle Malkin comments on Bush's press conference. Here is part of what he said:

The system for too long had just shuffled children through and just hoped for the best. And guess what happened? We had people graduating from high school who were illiterate -- and that's just not right in America. It wasn't working.

If you've read any of my blog you know I'm not very positive about our education system.

You also may know how I feel about NCLB.

But I'm starting to get really teed off about Bush's own illiteracy. Let's just get right down to it. How many, really, how many high school graduates in, say, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, and Wyoming are illiterate? Go ahead. Find one if you can. (I'm sure there are a few--the exceptions to prove the rule, though.) So what business is it of the Federal Government, really, to interfere in the successful workings of state educational systems, where they are doing fairly well? What right is it of the Federal Government, to burden these rural states with inappropriate, ineffective, misguided regulations that actually take money away from budget items that help students??

Oh, "It wasn't working." Like in Texas? Where Bush's state program achieved a statistical success because schools figured out how to manipulate the results? (9th graders who didn't pass a subject were "held back" and didn't have to take the statewide test in 10th grade, then they were promoted to 11th grade after making up their failed subject, and again avoided the test.)

See also NoNCLB. I disagree with lots on that blog but we have a common enemy.
More good stuff at Shut Up and Teach.

Byron Dorgan's Comments. Go For It!