No Child Left Behind Letters Project, Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ

"No Child Left Behind" Letters Project

Friends: I recently attended a conference in Washington which focused on fixing the No Child Left Behind act. While the goals of the act are important and lofty the means of attaining them is flawed if not counter productive. In fact, as noted by the National council of Churches “. . . it is becoming clear that the law is leaving behind more children than it is saving. The children being abandoned are our nation’s most vulnerable children – children of color and poor children in America’s big cities and remote rural areas – the very children the law claims it will rescue.”

The act is up for reauthorization this year which means there is an opportunity to make necessary changes. We in Massachusetts have the special opportunity to play a critical role in this effort given that Senator Kennedy is now the chair of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions.

What I am asking is if you will be willing to write a letter to Senator Kennedy. I have written a sample but you of course could write your own. Calls and emails are also important. I would also ask that you share this information with others and encourage them to respond.

Senator Kennedy’s contact information is below.

I have witnessed the impact of this act through the eyes of my wife who is a kindergarten teacher in Springfield. Even in kindergarten the objective is often not providing quality education but test preparation. I feel we can not remain silent while so many of our children are being left behind.

Shalom, Peter

The Rev. Dr. Peter Wells, Associate Conference Minister
Ludlow Office
Massachusetts Conference, United Church of Christ
51 Center St., PO Box 443
Ludlow, MA 01056
peter.wells@verizon.net
413-589-7034 (office)
413-244-6079 (cell)

Washington Office
317 Russell Senate Building
Washington D.C. 20510
p (202) 224-4543
f (202) 224-2417

Massachusetts Office
2400 JFK Building
Boston, MA 02203
p (617) 565-3170
p (877) 472-9014
f (617) 565-3183

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