Kicking off Miami University's Lecture Series this year will be two people speaking on a topic that hits close to home - education.
Tom Daschle and Rod Paige will visit Hall Auditorium at 8 p.m. Oct. 16, speaking on politics and education in "No Child Left Behind (NCLB): Is It Making the Grade?"
Daschle, a former Democratic Senate leader, voted for the No Child Left Behind Act, but has since become one of its critics and Paige, the U.S. Secretary of Education from 2001-05, was a key figure in shaping the legislation. Paige was also the first African-American to serve in this position.
With the midterm elections rapidly approaching this November, Richard Little, Miami's director of communications and a member of the Lecture Series Committee, emphasized the importance of inviting such noted political figures - especially since education will be a key issue this November.
Frances Fowler, a professor in the department of educational leadership, spoke to the importance of No Child Left Behind to today's educational system.
"I don't think you can understand what is going on in America's public schools today without understanding No Child Left Behind," Fowler said. "I would say that NCLB is driving what happens in most schools and districts around the country."
The act, which requires greater accountability from elementary and secondary schools -- including proof of students' proficiency in core subjects - has remained a contentious item in national politics since its introduction in 2001.
The act also issues yearly report cards to schools, detailing their "yearly progress" in raising proficiency levels - which are then available to parents. Teachers are also required to be "highly qualified," and parents are able to place their child in another public school if their original school is identified as "needing improvement."
Critics contend that the federal government has not fully funded the program, while others claim that it puts excessive emphasis on testing.
"The No Child Left Behind Act is one of the major realities with which American educators are dealing," Fowler said.
Little sees bringing these two key political figures to campus as generating a healthy debate.
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"It seemed like a perfect match of people to debate these issues," Little said.
Daschle was first elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1978 and then to the U.S. Senate in 1986. Elected Democratic leader in 1994, he served as minority leader for 10 years, with a brief tenure as Senate majority leader from 2001-03. After serving 18 years, and now retired since 2005, he is the third-longest Senate leader in the Democratic Party history.
Before Paige was the U.S. Secretary of Education, he served as dean of the college of education at Texas Southern University, then as superintendent of the Houston Independent School District - the nation's 7th largest school district. He was also named National Superintendent of the Year in 2001.
"(This event) should help people understand the provisions of (NCLB) better, and gain knowledge of the law which have become controversial," Fowler said.
Little hopes all students will attend this event, regardless of major.
"Any student who follows current issues should attend. " Little said. "But certainly education majors, political science majors and others will find the debate informative."
Many students are certainly expected - in fact, Little predicts a sellout of Hall Auditorium.
The event is free, but tickets are required and will be available to students and faculty Oct. 11, and the general public Oct. 13.
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