Are We Still a Nation at Risk Two Decades Later?

For the past twenty years, federal and state education departments and school districts have been engaged in efforts that have touched every phase of public education. We have seen the emergence of the standards movement, "high-stake" testing, and an emphasis on school accountability. Requirements for those entering the teaching profession have become more stringent in order to provide "highly qualified" teachers. School personnel on all levels must deal with constantly changing requirements, often without the financial support necessary. High school graduation requirements have been changed, especially in the areas of technology, math, and science. The ideas of school choice, charter schools, and school vouchers are being experimented with in many forms. These changes have all been accelerated with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act signed in 2002. This book is a study of the 1983 report A Nation at Risk and its impact on public education. Hayes analyzes the impact of this reform and suggests future priorities for public education in the United States.