Reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965

(No Child Left Behind)

View the complete set of recommendations here

The National Collaboration for Youth offers recommendations for improvements to the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act, commonly known as No Child Left Behind.

At a time when statistics show the decreasing chances of an at-risk
young person graduating from high school, or graduating with the skills to continue onto higher education or into meaningful employment, our
recommendations focus on relevance and readiness – making education and the future relevant for youth, and preparing them for success in their world. Based in research and best practices, our proposed enhancements to programs, or creation of new programs would

• increase student attendance;
• improve academic success by building stronger connections to school and community;
• develop applied skills necessary for the workforce; and
• enhance social and civic responsibility.

This proposal is not comprehensive and we did not apply our principles uniformly throughout the analysis of NCLB. Our recommendations concentrate in areas we know best: healthy youth, connected youth,
and healthy and connected families. Specifically, we propose changes and new programs in the following areas which provide the greatest opportunities to infuse our principles:

• Integrated student support services
• Afterschool and supplemental education services programs
• Mentoring
• Service-learning
• Anti-bullying enhancement
• Increasing student attendance
• Physical education
• Dropout Recovery and Prevention & Multiple Pathways to Graduation

We believe in public schools, and believe that national community-based
organizations serve an integral role in supporting public education. Whether in the schools or partnering with them in the community, together, we can ensure that our nation’s young people receive the best education possible.

View the complete set of recommendations here

These recommendations are a true collaborative effort of the policy teams of our member organizations.  Please note, however, that the recommendations are endorsed by the National Collaboration for Youth alone, and that the National Collaboration for Youth does not speak for each of its members, and it cannot be assumed that this document is endorsed by them.

Initiatives