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May 03, 2005

Opinion: NCLB

A Progressive Education

Instead of throwing barbs at teachers and unions, the Times should challenge the nation and the president to take on the difficulties facing teachers in disadvantaged communities. The Times--and other opinion leaders--should call for universal pre-school programs so poor children enter school on level ground with their more advantaged counterparts. They should call for universal quality health care and after-school programs so all children start the school day ready to learn. The Times and the Post should both do all of this, while putting on a spirited defense of NCLB. It’s important to protect the core mission of NCLB, but doing so at all costs is as dangerous to children as accepting Bush at his word.

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