NCLB Outrages
A Look at the Cost of No Child Left Behind
Connecticut
The federal No Child Left Behind Act aims to make all students proficient in reading and math. The state Department of Education reports that the cost to the state to meet the law's requirements through 2008 will be $41 million.
The report calculates the cost of staff time, materials and contracts, and assumes federal funding will remain level.
TESTING
The state is required to add standardized tests in grades 3, 5 and 7, and a science test in grades 5 and 8. It also will have to adjust curriculum to prepare students for the tests.
$41.6 million.
JUDGING SCHOOLS
The state must work with the U.S. Department of Education to judge how schools are faring. It also must work with local districts to interpret data and verify test results, and educate them about the law.
$18.15 million
HELPING SCHOOLS
The state must help schools that are identified as struggling under the law develop improvement plans. Costs include conferences, developing handbooks and holding meetings designing professional development programs.
$19.25 million
SCHOOL CHOICE
Students in a low-performing school have the option of transferring to a high-performing school under the law. Low-performing schools also may be required to offer extra services such as tutoring. The state must create applications, monitor the programs and select and approve providers of tutoring and other services.
$2.7 million
JUDGING TEACHERS
The state must develop a program to make sure all teachers and administrators are highly qualified. It requires data to be gathered from districts and help educate schools about the law's requirements and help develop an exam for paraprofessionals.
$3.16 million
TECHNOLOGY
The state must make sure computers and systems can adequately collect and store data required by the law. The system also creates annual report cards about how schools are faring.
$13.6 million
ADMINISTRATION
Costs related to administering various programs and grants.
$13.7 million
TOTAL COST $112.18 million
ESTIMATED FEDERAL FUNDING $70.58 million
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REMAINING COST TO STATE $41.6
— Connecticut Department of Education
Boston Globe
2005-03-01
http://www.boston.com/news/education/k_12/articles/2005/03/01/a_look_at_the_cost_of_no_child_left_behind/
INDEX OF NCLB OUTRAGES
