In 2002, No Child Left Behind (NCLB) was enacted under the shadow of 9/11 when no Presidential initiative would be contested.  If only we’d been outraged when we learned the “Texas Miracle” upon which NCLB was modeled was fraudulent. 

In 2003 small groups of Massachusetts parents and students boycotted the first round of the State’s new tests.  If only the resistance had grown in spite of academic gains (attributed more to a focus on teaching and district attention to curriculum and evaluation than the increased testing).

The decade which followed brought one-size-fits-all curriculum maps, teaching scripts, Peace Corp-like “teachers,” take-no-prisoners CEO  school managers, election focused legislators seeking measurable results and quick fix reforms, public funds siphoned to private and parochial interests and schools, and billion dollar privatization and publishing carpetbaggery. 

Again, as respectful bystanders, we protested nicely as the inexperienced charter school leaders re-segregated schools, unofficially rejected students with disabilities and English Language Learners, and oppressed children with drill and practice methods. Today, Mr. Obama continues the misguided NCLB/RTTT effort with new elements under the guise of accountability which includes labeling teachers and principals (based on high-stakes and yet-to-be-validated tests) and ten hour testing of 3^rd graders.

There are (at least) two elements consistent in any atrocity.  First, the events and those who caused them.  Second, those who stood on the sidelines and watched.