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No Child Left Behind: Not Just a Challenge to Schools

Copyright 2004, W. David Tarver

Back in 1971, when I was graduating from high school, I faced two very different choices. I could go across town to the General Motors factory and get a job, or I could go to college. If I chose the GM job, I could immediately go out and buy a new car, put a down payment on a house, maybe even get a small boat. You see, in those days you didn’t have to have a good education to get a good paying job. All you needed was a strong back and a willingness to show up at work every day.

Those days are gone.

With the globalization of industry, most manual labor jobs have gone overseas, and most of the ones that remain don’t pay very well. Nowadays and in the future, the key to personal success is the development of that muscle each of us has between our ears – the brain. And just developing the brain does not guarantee success, because people in many other countries are developing their brains, too – I am sure you have seen the recent reports of high-value jobs leaving the U.S. for places like India. No, we must do a great job at developing the brains of our students, so that they will be able to compete with students in other countries.

That’s where No Child Left Behind comes in.

The Federal No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law dictates that states must educate every student to an acceptable level, or face certain sanctions for failing to do so. It’s a bold move, and it represents a key challenge to nearly every school district in this country. But guess what – its not just a challenge to schools. NCLB is a challenge to the entire community, because it will take an energized, supportive community to ensure the success of its students. Parents must work to ensure that their kids are doing their school work and are participating in enriching activities. Community service organizations must make sure that they leave no child behind in the provision of services, whether those services be health care, recreation, arts and cultural activities, or other needed functions. Businesses must provide the kinds of job experiences and internships to students that introduce them to the world of work, warts and all.

What does all of this mean for Red Bank? To me, it means that we can’t afford to waste time and energy arguing among ourselves. It means that we must support our students, wherever they happen to attend school. It means that we must work hard to develop that supportive web of activities and services that are the very definition of community.

Fortunately, I had a choice back in 1971. I chose to develop my brain, and then I chose a career that let me use my brain. Fortunately, the education I got back in Flint, Michigan allowed me to make that choice. Let’s make sure that the same choice is available to every Red Bank student. If we do that, we will make No Child Left Behind more than just a passing slogan.

David Tarver Red Bank, NJ