State of the Union: Education

From the President's speech:

Spreading opportunity and hope in America also requires public schools that give children the knowledge and character they need in life. Five years ago, we rose above partisan differences to pass the No Child Left Behind Act, preserving local control, raising standards, and holding those schools accountable for results. And because we acted, students are performing better in reading and math, and minority students are closing the achievement gap.

Now the task is to build on the success, without watering down standards, without taking control from local communities, and without backsliding and calling it reform. We can lift student achievement even higher by giving local leaders flexibility to turn around failing schools, and by giving families with children stuck in failing schools the right to choose someplace better. (Applause.) We must increase funds for students who struggle -- and make sure these children get the special help they need. (Applause.) And we can make sure our children are prepared for the jobs of the future and our country is more competitive by strengthening math and science skills. The No Child Left Behind Act has worked for America's children -- and I ask Congress to reauthorize this good law. (Applause.)

I'm sure there are some success stories, but all I remember hearing about the state of education in this country (and in the state of Ohio) has been bad news. No Child Left Behind has not really been the success story that the President says it is. It may be a bipartisan love-fest, but that doesn't mean it has produced results that are worthy of praise. Should NCLB be renewed? I can't say that NCLB has really achieved success; but then again, I really don't know what benchmarks to use here...