News-Record.com

The Aspen Institute, an independent, bipartisan commission released its recommendations to No Child Left Behind today. You can find the full report here and the recommendations here.

Those recommendations included:
* Hold principals and teachers more accountable for test results
* Improve the quantity and quality of teacher training
* Give principals in Title 1 schools the right to refuse the transfer of a teacher who is not "highly qualified" into their school
* Require colleges and universities to set goals for increasing the number of graduates qualified to teach in shortage areas
* Hold schools accountable by restricting the minimum subgroup size to no more than 20 (instead of 40) and confidence intervals to no more than 95 percent
* Require districts to hire a point person on supplemental educational services (tutoring) and school choice/opt-outs.

Some groups criticized the report. The National Center for Fair and Open Testing called the proposals "NCLB on steroids." The center advocates limited standardized testing and a more comprehensive approach to accountability. Find their proposals here.

The American Federation of Teachers called the report a "nonstarter" for remaking the law.

Meanwhile, the Center on Education Policy offered a one paragraph thank you for the commission's work.