NCLB Outrages

Contact the U. S. Department of Education: Do It Today

Important: Here are fax numbers for the people Nebraska Commissioner of Education Doug Christensen suggests we contact. Please write to them asap. We need to support the one state thats actually doing what we believe in (They don't give state exams but allow local units to choose test that suits them. This is what the commissioner is standing up for.

Henry Johnson at 202-205-0310
Ray Simon and Margaret Spellings at 202-401-0689

mail: U.S. Department of Education
400 Maryland Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20202


From: doug.christensen@nde.ne.gov
Date: Mon Jul 24, 2006
To: Susan Harman
Subject: Re: No Corporation Left Behind

Dear Susan:

Please excuse my belated response. I have been on vacation with our grandchildren and tried to get away from all of this NCLB stuff for awhile.

You can help a lot by communicating with the folks at USDE. Letters faxed to Henry Johnson , Ray Simon and Margaret Spellings to let them know that others not only have a stake in the actions of USDE but that lots of people are watching what they do.

Our press response in Nebraska has been relatively quiet which has surprised me as USDE has attempted to upstage us by framing the decision in ways that make us look like we aren’t doing much. Two years ago, the press would have roasted us.

We have interviewed with Ed Week and the NY Times spent a week here a couple of weeks ago.

I think the best thing is to speak out whenever and wherever possible. When USDE can’t quiet the voices, especially those that claim the high ground of good practice, for the kids, etc., they get a whole lot more cooperative. To do otherwise, makes them look bureaucratic, heavy handed, mean…..

Thanks for asking. Any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance.

Doug

Doug Christensen, Ph.D.
Commissioner of Education

— Doug Christensen, Nebraska Commissioner of Education
e-mail
2006-07-24

---

INDEX OF NCLB OUTRAGES