I think in some aspects it could be. But and heres a big but, there are still huge holes in the system and alot of the students fall into the cracks with this system. I think many of the students in the high school level dropout because of all the standards that are being implemented amongst other issues.

UH OH bad news for the Libersmell and Leftwing Nutjobs

A new report from the Center on Education Progress says that most states have seen dramatic improvements in math and reading test results since passage of the No Child Left Behind Act five years ago.

Also, the study found that more states are narrowing the achievement gap between minority and white students, a major objective of NCLB.

The Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit think tank's biggest finding was that out of six categories – reading and math results for elementary, middle and high school students – the bulk of the states saw improvement across four or more categories. Delaware, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire and Washington had the best results, with moderate-to-large gains in all six categories.

According to Stateline.org , CEP says it's too early yet to attribute the findings to NCLB: "The study explained that other factors besides NCLB could have contributed to the increases, such as increased student learning, more teaching to the test, tweaks made to state tests and changes in student populations, such as more students being held back a grade and having to re-take a test." Nonetheless, people likely will tie the increases to NCLB.

Here's the CEP report (click the link, then Availability: Full Report). What do you think?

Could Congress' much-maligned version of the Bush education plan be working?