Public Hearings for Citizens on Impact of "No
Child Left Behind"
Over the next few weeks, the Public Education Network
(PEN), in collaboration with state and local partners,
will sponsor public hearings to provide a much-needed
forum for citizens to take part in shaping the federal
education policy embodied in the "No
Child Left Behind" Act (NCLB). The hearings
seek testimony from parents, business and civic leaders,
students, and community-based organizations to help
identify the extent (if any) to which NCLB is providing
adequate resources, strengthening curricula, advancing
quality teaching and learning, delivering more services,
and enhancing the public's confidence in its schools
and in the system of public education.
"Given the magnitude of NCLB's intent to transform
public education, we must listen to the voices of all
community members affected by this law. The education
of our children is one of the most central responsibilities
we have as citizens in a democratic society," said
PEN President Wendy Puriefoy.
The hearing proceedings will be compiled into a national
report that will be distributed to the public, public
officials at the local, state, and national levels,
a broad range of education stakeholders and the media.
The locations of scheduled hearings and the local partner
organizations are:
Cleveland, September 14, with the Ohio
PTA, ACORN,
and the Ohio
Fair Schools Campaign
San Antonio, September 28, with the Intercultural
Development Research Association
Memphis, September 30, with Partners
in Public Education
New York City, October 7, with the Campaign
for Fiscal Equity, and
Chicago, October 12, with the Cross
City Campaign for Urban School Reform.
Cities where public hearings on NCLB have already occurred
include Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, Boston, Sacramento,
and Los Angeles.
The Public
Education Network is a national organization of
local education funds and individuals working to improve
public schools and build public support for quality
public education for poor and disadvantaged children
in low-income communities across the nation.
Prepared by Molly A. Hunter, September 14, 2004
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