Adventist Education: Our Father’s Plan for “No Child Left Behind”

Pamela Consuegra, Superintendent of Schools

A great deal has recently been written on the “No Child Left Behind” act, often abbreviated in print as NCLB.  It is a controversial United States federal law (Act of Congress) that reauthorized a number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primaryand secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools.

The effectiveness and desirability of NCLB's measures are hotly debated. A primary criticism asserts that NCLB could actually reduce effective instruction and student learning because it may cause states to lower achievement goals and motivate teachers to "teach to the test."

As a Seventh-day Adventist educator I look at this piece of legislation and all the controversy that surrounds it with different eyes.  Academic excellence is indeed a goal in Adventist education.  Recent statistical data collected in the Cognitive Genesis study being completed at La Sierra University bears witness to the fact that our educational system, when compared to other private and public schools excels in this area. It is a goal that no child is left behind academically.

And yet, I must ask myself the question, Is this my primary responsibility? Is this the top priority? If Seventh-day Adventist education meets this goal and nothing else, will success have been attained?

I must consider another question. What is my Father’s plan for NCLB?  You see, my Father’s plan is that no child will be left behind when He comes to take us home. As a parent and educator, it chills me to think of a child as being lost, as being left behind. Seventh-day Adventist schools can join hands with the home and church in this critical aspect of guiding our children into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ.

It is now the time of year when you are considering options of schooling for your child.  I encourage, no, plead with you to consider Adventist education. It is one more measure to help assure that no child will be left behind when we leave this earth and go to our heavenly home. Investing in the life of a child is the most important investment that you will ever make.  After all, the rewards are out of this world!