... State education leaders across the nation are trying to respond to the mess caused by No Child Left Behind. This federal education law attempts to use state education standards and incorporate them into a federal school accountability system. ...

It’s an ugly mess that interferes with state efforts to improve education. In an attempt to straighten this mess out, officials from 46 states are trying to agree on a set of national standards that all states can adopt, creating a more uniform system.

The problem is that this development will pave the way for more federal control of education. Once national standards are created, Congress will feel the need to mandate them on all states. Once we have national standards, we might as well have national tests. And once those tests are established, it will make sense to have a national curriculum to teach children to pass those tests. ...

The solution to the problems posed by No Child Left Behind is not national standards and more federal interference. It is the repeal of No Child Left Behind.