In 2009, the National Governors Association developed a policy position
regarding education reform.  The policy position outlines the role of governors, alignment of the education system, state accountability systems, adequate yearly progress, rigorous curricula, funding, the National Assessment of Educational Progress, and voluntary international benchmarking. 

The following excerpt from the policy position shows how far the United States has come since the No Child Left Behind Act became law and it shows the commitment of the National Governors Association to continue seeking methods for supporting public education, while holding educators and policy makers accountable to high standards in all fifty states.

"Education is primarily and properly a state responsibility. Governors also
 recognize the important and supporting role of the federal government in 
 education. The federal government can assist states by providing extra
 and essential assistance for students most in need, recognizing and
 assisting teachers, and supporting governors’ leadership authority
 through NCLB.

  In reauthorizing NCLB, Congress should reinforce and support sound
  state education practices, roll back restrictions on states’ ability to align
  and integrate delivery systems for students, assist and recognize the
  needs of our nation’s teachers, and ultimately, support state efforts to
  raise student achievement. For this reason, governors urge Congress to
  adopt and support the following recommendations to further reform
  elementary and secondary education" 
                                                   (National Governors Association,2009).

As of the fall of 2009, two years after the 2001 law was set to expire,
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) and No Child Left
Behind Act still has not been reauthorized. It is possible that Congress will
reauthorize ESEA in 2010 or 2011.  Teachers, families, tax payers, politicians, policy makers, state departments of education, local education agencies and other stakeholders will have the opportunity to address state standards,
curriculum and instruction, and state assessments.

What are your thoughts regarding the reauthorization of the Elementary and
Secondary Education Act and No Child Left Behind?  Should the United States develop national standards for education?  Should NCLB remain the same?  Should a dramatic overhaul take place?  If No Child Left Behind supports student achievement, then how can it be improved?

References:
National Governors Association. (2008). Benchmarking for success: Ensuring
       U.S. students receive a world-class education. Retrieved September 18,
       2009, from http://www.achieve.org/files/BenchmarkingforSuccess.pdf.

National Governors Association. (2009). Policy position: Education reform.
Retrieved October 20, 2009, from http://www.nga.org/portal/site/nga/menuitem.8358ec82f5b198d1
8a278110501010a0/?vgnextoid=20ca9e2f1b091010VgnVCM1000001a01010aR
CRD

No Child Left Behind Act, Public Law 107-110. (2002). Retrieved October 22,
   2009, from http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/107-110.pdf.
 


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