Pennsylvanians to Share Views, Speak Out on No Child Left Behind

On Thursday, Dec. 8, 2005, the Mon Valley Education Consortium is sponsoring a hearing on No Child Left Behind (NCLB), the sweeping legislation that has touched every public school and every public school student in America. At the hearing, the voices of those students will be heard. Young people from schools across Pennsylvania will reflect on the impact of NCLB on their schools, their lives, and the way they learn. A select number of parents and community members also will participate.

The hearing will take place at WQED’s studio from 9 a.m. to noon. It will be taped and will become a Teens on Q program that will be shown on the eight public television stations across the state. Footage also may be used throughout 2006 in a variety of other programs dealing with education and/or NCLB.

In addition, the Consortium will make a 10-minute DVD from the hearing. Copies will be given to every legislator in Harrisburg and Washington as the federal government moves toward reauthorization of No Child Left Behind in 2007 and as Pennsylvania begins to consider its implementation plan. The Consortium’s national organization, the Public Education Network (PEN), will be disseminating the results of this work at the federal level, incorporating suggested changes and improvements to this far-reaching law. PEN is providing funding for the hearing.

he high school students participating in the hearing will be coming from Brownsville Area, Duquesne City, East Allegheny, McKeesport Area and Steel Valley School Districts, Oliver High in Pittsburgh and Forbes Road Career and Technical Center in the southwest part of the state, and from Philadelphia, Bethlehem, Lower Moreland and Lancaster in the eastern half. They have been preparing by interviewing and videotaping their peers, principals and teachers on the subject of No Child Left Behind. These clips may become part of the DVD and/or Teens on Q program, depending on the quality of content. The Pittsburgh event is one of a series of public hearings being sponsored by PEN and its affiliates.