Americans recognize that their education system is falling behind as compared to other nations. In order to stay competitive in the global economy, education reform is important.
In 2002, the federal government enacted No Child Left Behind to improve education quality by increasing accountability for states, school districts and schools themselves. The program is based on the standards-based approach that believes high expectations and setting goals results in a better outcome. The program also provides parents with vouchers that allow them to decide which schools their children will attend. If parents decide to send their children to private schools, then they will receive funding equivalent to what the public school would have spent on the child that year.
Supporters of No Child Left Behind state that systematic testing reveals the gaps in the education system and the administration can effectively address them. Opponents argue that it hurts the education system as states simply lower the standards in order to meet expectations and goals.
Advocates of the voucher program state that it provides parents the option to remove their children from poorly performing schools, thereby forcing these schools to improve themselves. Opponents argue that funding earmarked for public schools should not go to private schools.
Allow parents to choose which public school their children attend
Encourage arts in education
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As Governor of Arkansas, passed legislation to provide music and art instruction to all Arkansas children in grades one through six, forty minutes a week.
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