Opinion | How to Get School Policy Back on Track

July 3, 2026 - 21:36

Ross Wiener's recent guest essay argued that longing for the "No Child Left Behind" era is a mistake. Readers had plenty to say in response, with many agreeing that the old law was deeply flawed but also pushing back on the idea that the current system is any better.

Several commenters pointed out that the core problem isn't federal mandates or a lack of testing, but a failure to address the root causes of educational inequality. One reader noted that no amount of policy tweaking will fix schools if children come to class hungry, stressed, or without stable housing. Another argued that the obsession with standardized tests created a culture of teaching to the test, which stifled creativity and critical thinking.

Others took a more pragmatic view, suggesting that the real issue is a lack of clear, consistent goals. They said that schools are constantly being pulled in different directions by politicians, parents, and special interest groups. Instead of chasing the next big reform, these readers argued for a return to basics: smaller class sizes, better teacher pay, and more local control over curriculum.

A few respondents did defend the spirit of accountability that No Child Left Behind introduced. They said that while the law was imperfect, it at least forced schools to pay attention to struggling students and minority groups who had been ignored for decades. The problem, they argued, was not the goal of accountability but the clumsy way it was enforced.

the conversation revealed a deep frustration with the political nature of education policy. Readers seem to want less ideological warfare and more practical, evidence-based solutions that actually help students learn. The challenge, as always, is finding common ground in a deeply divided debate.