Room for Debate: What Would It Mean to 'Fix' No Child Left Behind?

Diane Ravitch, author, "Reign of Error"

The original purpose of the 1965 law was to distribute federal aid to schools and districts that enrolled large numbers of poor children.

Terrell Halaska, former assistant secretary of education under George W. Bush

Now Congress needs to rebalance the federal-state relationship, and give states more flexibility on education and parents and educators more choice.

Randi Weingarten, American Federation of Teachers

The Elementary and Secondary Education Act need to return to its roots to focus on poverty, equity, funding, the joy of learning and the whole child.

Wade Henderson, Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

Critics who claim the annual assessments, reporting and accountability have been failures aren't paying attention to the vast improvements.

Stephen Lazar, high school teacher

Because of misguided incentives in the education law, too many schools are designed to get students to do well on a one-time test.