NC State Experts Can Address ‘No Child Left Behind’ Overhaul

North Carolina State University researchers can help explain the impact an overhaul of “No Child Left Behind” may have on the nation’s K-12 schools.

President Barack Obama and Congress are debating a plan to overhaul “No Child Left Behind.” The revised law, according to Obama, will ask states to ensure that their academic standards prepare students to succeed in college and the workplace, and to create accountability systems that recognize student growth and school progress toward meeting that goal. The “No Child Left Behind” law enacted in 2002 was a cornerstone of former President George W. Bush’s domestic policy in his first term. Under the law, states must test students for competence in basic skills to qualify for federal aid.

Dr. Michael Maher, director of professional education, 919/515-5524 or michael_maher@ncsu.edu, is an expert on teacher preparation, teaching licensure and re-visioning education programs. He can speak to teacher preparation/education aspects of “No Child Left Behind.”

Dr. Hiller Spires, professor of literacy and technology and Friday Institute senior research fellow, 919/513-8501 or hiller_spires@ncsu.edu, can address issues related to “No Child Left Behind” and the Obama Administration’s blueprint for the Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Act. She can speak to future directions in literacy education including how technology is changing what it means to be literate, college and career readiness for students, and strengthening teacher preparation and recruitment, especially in rural settings.

Dr. Thomas Alsbury, director of the University Council for Educational Administration’s Center for Research on the Superintendency and District Governance, 919/513-4321 or tom_alsbury@ncsu.edu, is known as a national expert on school board governance and board/superintendent relationships. He can discuss elected versus appointed school boards, board/superintendent relations, mayoral takeover of school boards, districtwide reform efforts, and the effect of school board/community politics and student achievement.

Dr. Steven Greene, associate professor of political science, 919/513-0520 or steven_greene@ncsu.edu, is an expert on politics, public opinion and the media. He can comment on the challenges facing Obama’s legislation in the House and Senate.

Dr. Jeffery Braden, dean of the College of Humanities and Social Sciences, 919/515-2468 or jeff_braden@ncsu.edu, is an educational psychologist who studies the impact of the testing requirements associated with the “No Child Left Behind” legislation.

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