George W. Bush’s Most
Significant Domestic
Achievement
Thesis: George W. Bush’s most significant domestic achievement was his
proposition of the No Child Left Behind Act because it ensures that all children in
the United States receive a high-quality education and to close the
achievement gap that exists between children who typically perform well in
school and those who do not.
Background
 Born July 6th, 1946 in New Haven CT.
 He is the eldest of six children of George Herbert Walker Bush and Barbara
Pierce Bush.
 George spent most of his childhood in Midland, Texas, until 7th grade,
 His family moved to Houston, Texas in 1961.
 He was an all-around athlete, playing baseball, basketball, and football.
 He was a decent student and at times was a trouble-maker.
 Attended Yale in 1964.
Background
 George was a popular student at Yale, and became president of his frat.
 Played rugby at Yale.
 Two weeks before his graduation, he enlisted in the Texas Air National
Guard.
 His family was involved with business and politics since the 50s.
 His father was the 41st POTUS
 George H.W. Bush made a fortune in the oil business in Texas.
Personal Life
 After the National Guard, Bush enrolled at Harvard Business School; he
earned a Masters degree in 1975.
 After Harvard, he came back to Midland and entered the oil business; later
starting his own oil and gas firm.
 He was introduced to Laura Welch at a barbeque, and proposed to her
after 3 months.
 Married on November 5th, 1977.
Personal Life
 Credits his wife for helping bringing his life together.
 Soon after marrying his wife, he joined the Methodist Church and became
a born-again Christian.
 Had twin daughters; Barbara and Jenna in 1981.
 Quit drinking in 1986.
 Sold his struggling oil business to Harken Energy Corporation for stock.
Rise to Presidency
 1978, he made his first run for political office to be U.S. representative of the
19th District in Texas.
 1994, ran for public office and was elected the 46th governor of Texas.
 1998, won re-election with nearly 69% of the vote, becoming the first
governor in Texas history to be elected to two consecutive four-year terms.
 June, 1999, George W. Bush announced his candidacy for the POTUS
 His opponent in the 2000 election was Al gore.
 The election was held on Novemeber 7th, 2000, but the outcome wasn’t
known until December 12th.
1st Term
 Running mate Dick Chaney (former congressman and U.S secretary of state
under H.W. Bush)
 Defeated Al Gore
 Electoral vote: 271-266
 Popular vote: lost 48.4%-47.9%
 9/11 attacks and the shutdown of the Taliban
 Invasion of Afghanistan
 Overthrow Sadaam Hussein
2nd Term
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
 The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (NCLB) is the most recent iteration of
the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA), the major
federal law authorizing federal spending on programs to support K-12
schooling.
 The law’s original goal, which remains today, was to improve educational
equity for students from lower income families by providing federal funds to
school districts serving poor students.
 Schools that fail to make adequate yearly progress for two consecutive
years are identified for "school improvement," and must draft a school
improvement plan, devote at least 10 percent of federal funds provided
under Title I of NCLB to teacher
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
 Student test scores have been increasing since NCLB took effect in 2002. In
particular, the test scores of minority students have increased the most in
this time.
 Additionally, the overall achievement gap between minority students and
the white majority has decreased between 1999 and 2004.
 The percentage of classes taught by a highly qualified teacher has risen to
over 90 percent across the nation.
 Nearly 450,000 eligible students have received free supplemental
educational services (tutoring) or public school choice.
No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB)
 The regular testing has allowed schools to identify the individual students in
need of additional aid to reach grade level proficiency.
 The increased school choice option for parents provides an additional
incentive for both schools and teachers to reform any ineffective
educational strategies.
 Results have shown that the nation is still on track to reach the 2014
deadline for universal grade level proficiency in math and reading.
 In the past year the number of schools across the nation who have met
their AYP has increased.
Consequences of NCLB
 3 year fail: are identified for corrective action, and must institute
interventions designed to improve school performance from a list
specified in the legislation
 4 year fail: are identified for restructuring, which requires more
significant interventions.
 5 year fail: implement a restructuring plan that includes reconstituting
school staff and/or leadership, changing the school’s governance
arrangement, converting the school to a charter, turning it over to a
private management company, or some other major change.
Opposition
 The federal government has consistently failed to provide the amount of
funding the program requires.
 Achievement is measured only by a students’ performance on annual
multiple-choice reading and math tests.
 Teachers are increasingly only teaching “to the test” due to the
widespread fear that their students will perform badly resulting in their
termination.
 Critics argue that by teaching to the test, many students fail to receive a
creative, personally relevant and well-rounded curriculum.
Opposition
 All students are held to the same achievement standard (as dictated by
their state) regardless of their ability level, socioeconomic status and native
language.
 The only students who are not held to the same achievement standards
are those with severe physical or mental disabilities.
 Due to the intense focus on math and reading proficiency, fewer resources
and time are devoted to subjects such as art, physical education, social
studies and science.
 Analysis of the academic reports by organizations who are unaffiliated with
the federal board of education have come to mixed conclusions regarding
the success of NCLB in raising math and reading achievement.
Opposition
 Many education professionals argue that it is impossible to compare data
on a nation-wide scale because each state defines and assesses
proficiency differently.
 The term “scientifically-based” education programs is not specifically
defined and allows ample room for interpretation.
 In the past year, more schools have been identified as “in need of
improvement” than in previous years.