NCLB vs PCAP

(U.S.) vs (Canada)
By: Nick Zammuto
 What is NCLB

● 2001 goal by 2013-14

● Policy by fed gov
● Lessen the gap between outperforming and
underperforming students
● Improve teacher quality
● States developed their own AYP
● If don’t meet AYP = sanction
○ School provides more resources for students
○ Students option to attend another school
● Focus on students: with disabilities, learning english,
underperforming
(Dee & Jacob, 2010)
What is PCAP

● National Assessment of 8th grade (Written test)

○ Reading, Math, science
● Every 3 years
● Randomly sampled
● Purpose: inform canadian bureaucrats about education
● Provinces/ Territories = tailored programs & less gov.
● Has no effect on students academic records
● Limitations:
○ States no studying needed/ normal activities in class are sufficient
● Student performance = “significant outpaced US” -- NCEE https://ncee.org/
country/canada/
Possible changes to NCLB?

● Student performance NOT determining school funding

● Random testings
● Tailored education → obama admin tried this, but did it really work? (ESSA)
○ College/ career focus
○ Trades?
○ Limitations → difficult to find results of this replacement of NCLB
○ Personal experiences of everyone?
● Less sanctions → these lead to worse outcomes
● Less federal intervention?
Best Strategies and why

● Semi-annual random testing

● Less gov intervention
● More state accountability to its students
○ Better understanding of different demographics
○ Tailor education to its students
○ Funding adequately distributed to more appropriately reflect students
● Relief of students testing anxiety = less stress about grade impact on future
Policy Alternatives

● Heavy focus on assistance to schools, not sanctions

● Remove all sanctions
● Allocate federal funding better = better support localities under influence of parents,
families, and lack of professional development
● Monitor goals to schools with difficulties = assist in tailoring education
● Fully fund ESEA or completely get rid of NCLB?
● https://www.fairtest.org/no-child-left-behind-reform-whats-alternative
 References
Dee, T. S., & Jacob, B. A. (2010). The Impact of No Child Left Behind on Students, Teachers, and Schools. Brookings. Retrieved March 17,
2022, from https://www.brookings.edu/bpea-articles/the-impact-of-no-child-left-behind-on-students-teachers-and-schools-with-
comments-and-discussion/

https://www.ed.gov/essa?src=rn

https://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/guid/esea-flexibility/index.html

https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/issues/education/k-12/reforming-no-child-left-behind

https://ncee.org/country/canada/

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/education-training/k-12/administration/program-management/assessment/national-and-international/pcap

https://www.cmec.ca/docs/pcap/pcap2016/Information-for-parents-and-students.pdf

https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/education/administration/kindergarten-to-grade-12/assessment/pcap_2016_bc_sum.pdf