NCLB Outrages

NCLB: The Song


Ohanian Comment: How many songs do they need? Note: Eduwonk flags the Ellie Michaels ditty as the worst so far.

On June 23, 2002, the New York Times ran a news item, 'No Child Left Behind' Is Hit Song With Bush Team by Diana Jean Schemo, noting that he federal Department of Education was considering having students sing an upbeat song about NCLB when Secretary of Education Rod Paige visited schools. The song was written by Christopher Cerf and Sarah Bruce Durkee, whose children's show, "Between the Lions," received a $4 million grant from the Education Department. Another idea was to play it as Musak when the U. S. Department of Education has to put callers on hold. Sung like upbeat gospel, the song praises President Bush and the No Child Left Behind act.

We’re here to thank our president,
For signing this great bill,
That's right! Yeah,
Research shows we know the way,
It's time we showed the will!

Now, four years later, we have the "No Child Left Behind," theme song, composed by Ellie Michaels, whose website says the song was formally accepted by the United States Department of Education as part of the Bush Administration's Educational Program, "to build better lives through education."

Indeed.

No one is saying which song Margaret Spelling is singing.

With another testing season upon us, we need to get the word out about the education revolution. We need people to sing a song of truth about children. Our CD, No Child Left Behind? Bring Back the Joy, underwritten by nothing more than a belief in children, offers 15 songs of resistance and inspiration.

If you act fast, I'll sell you a CD with 15 anti-NCLB songs for $15, and I'll pay the postage. Sing out for children. Send one to a friend. Send one to a board member. Send one to your member of Congress.

Susan Ohanian
P. O. Box 370
Charlotte, VT 05445

All proceeds from sale of this CD go to The World of Opportunity in Birmingham, Alabama.

You can hear song excerpts and order by credit card at http://www.cdbaby.com/cd/dhbdrake4

— Susan Ohanian
website
2006-02-09

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INDEX OF NCLB OUTRAGES