The sentiment behind the Elementary and Secondary Education
Act (ESEA) is hard to argue against. In 1965
as a part of Lyndon Johnson’s ‘War on Poverty’ the act sought to equal the
playing field by providing access to education for all children regardless of family
income. The ESEA has been renewed every five years since, the most recent being
referred to as the No Child Left Behind act (NCLB).
The government of any responsible, democratic country needs
to provide a quality education, not only to benefit its citizens but also to
ensure the future success of its country. It is in the interest of a nation as
a whole to help those who do not have access to educational advantages. Title 1
of the ESEA looks to address this issue as it provides funding to schools and school districts
with a high percentage of students that come from low-income families.
NCLB also raises the bar for students with disabilities and ensures that they
are provided the same level of education that any other student would get.
I clearly only have an extremely basic understanding of the
ESEA, its implementation over the years, and its current form as NCLB. While it
seems to its intensions in the right place it has no shortage of problems.
Issues of racial disparities
as well as standardized testing that encourages a teaching to the test
methodology are a few that have been mentioned. There is also America’s less than favorable education ranking among countries in the world that is also a
troubling issue.
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