I had interviewed U.S. Rep. Pete Hoekstra (R-Holland) a few weeks ago, about the future of No Child Left Behind. I didn’t end up using the interview in a story, but I think a few teachers and nerds like myself might find the following interesting.

Hoekstra said that although NCLB was due for re-evaluation and approval, such action will likely be postponed and approved simply through appropriations spending this year and possibly the next.

“It’s a sloppy way to continue,” he said. “It’s not unusual. Basically it sends the money back to the states with no strings attatched.”

He said it’s standard fare in Washington, when party agendas crowd out scheduled legislation re-vamping. Hoekstra (The Republican) said it’s not likely to be considered until the Democratic party — currently working on health care reform — turns its attention to education.

“Clearly the Obama Administration have different priorities right now,” he said. “They have not laid out their agenda for K-12 education. ”

He said Democrats “are waiting to see what the President is going to propose. With the majority they have now in the house, that’ll become the benchmark.”

Hoekstra, despite being a Republican, has been a critic of NCLB since it was introduced by President Bush.

“The creativity and the education coming out of the school districts is being smothered by the requirements and paperwork coming out of Washington D.C.,” Hoekstra said.

His own replacement bill, A-Plus, has 55 co-sponsors. The A-Plus program would simply allow individual state education departments to withdraw from the federal No Child Left Behind program.