NCLB and Literacy (Chapter 1)

In the first chapter of the book Adolescent Literacy, Beers attacks No Child Left Behind saying that the program does not take into consideration various backgrounds of children. The example of Derek shows how students can really work to improve their ability, and still not be considered "adequate" in the eyes of the federal government. However, the government faces a double edged sword. For example in the business world if you don't make the sale you don't make the sale, it doesn't matter how hard you tried. That mentality is what the federal government must deal with when speaking to its constituency. Furthermore, everybody wants better schools, but most don't want to pay higher taxes. While I believe that there should be better means to help children, I am not against setting benchmarks for children's success.