STOP THE PRESSES!  This is a REALLY important study, showing that NCLB worked in states that set rigorous standards.  Somehow, I don't think Diane Ravitch will be factoring in this research in her "analysis"…

They also took a look at long-term data from state exams across the nation, comparing the results for each state to how well that state's students did on NAEP tests in the same subject. Based on that analysis, they sorted states into three groups—those with tough standards, those with moderate achievement thresholds, and those where the bar was set lower. The states that experienced the greatest gains on NAEP, post-NCLB, were those with the most rigorous standards, which would presumably be the states with the highest numbers of schools getting those nasty failing labels under the law.

The researchers warn that the findings, which they have presented on Capitol Hill and in research conferences over the past few months, do not amount to a comprehensive evaluation of NCLB. But, given the impending reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act—a.k.a. NCLB—it's something to think about. Look for the full study on the Web site for Northwestern's Institute for Policy Research (http://www.northwestern.edu/ipr/publications/workingpapers/wpabstracts09/wp0911.html)

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Study Suggests NCLB Impact on NAEP Scores

By Debra Viadero on March 26, 2010

http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/inside-school-research/2010/03/if_you_think_the_last.html