Tribes, Ed. Leader Debate Left Behind Act

[NVMojo]

ULSA, Okla. (AP) -

American Indian leaders argued Monday that the No Child Left Behind Act is too rigid and has forced rural schools to cut tribal culture and language classes.

The leaders attending the meeting of the National Congress of American Indians also said President Bush's school reform law makes it difficult for rural districts to recruit and retain qualified teachers.

Thousands of North Dakota teachers were found to lack the schooling to be considered highly qualified under the law. The Education Department gave veteran teachers a reprieve, but it's a problem faced by rural schools nationwide where teachers do double-duty in a variety of subjects, said Tex Hall, the group's president.

"You might have a major in music and a minor in special education" and teach both, Hall said. "But now, they're saying your minor isn't good enough. It's devastating for a rural school district to say you just lost your special ed teacher."

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http://www.lasvegassun.com/sunbin/stories/nat-gen/2005/oct/31/103108911.html