September 17, 2008 4:36PM 

# It Depends on Whom You Ask 

By [Neal McCluskey](https://www.cato.org/people/neal-mccluskey) 

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Over at [NCLB Act II](http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/NCLB-ActII/), David Hoff wonders why the No Child Left Behind Act is treated likes it’s radioactive, while yesterday he heard “no talk of trying to slay NCLB—or even make major changes to it” at the inaugural meeting of the U.S. Department of Education’s National Technical Advisory Council.

David, I think I have an answer: The administration that championed NCLB put the commission together. There’s probably a pretty good chance they purposely brought in people who are comfortable with Washington hamfistedly imposing “accountability” on K‑12 education. At the very least, that explains what happened to *[my invitation](https://www.cato.org/pub_display.php?pub_id=8680)* to join the council.

##### Related Tags 

[Education](https://www.cato.org/education), [Center for Educational Freedom](https://www.cato.org/center-educational-freedom) 

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