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Flypaper

You know it's been a long time since NCLB reauthorization when…

Michelle Lerner
1.7.2014

Tomorrow, Michael Petrilli will be conducting a live chat with Kathleen Porter-Magee and Matt Chingos of Brookings on lessons learned (or not) since No Child Left Behind was enacted twelve years ago. (Tweet your questions to #NCLBchat.)

Just how long ago was 2002? We’re due for a little perspective.

In 2002…

 

Education reporters couldn’t contact Mike on Twitter or Facebook, but they could e-mail him on his AOL address.
Mike Petrilli

Music fans went to Tower Records to buy their favorite CDs and most likely listened to Nickelback’s “How You Remind Me,” Nelly’s “Hot in Herre,” Enimem’s “Lose Yourself,” and Avril Lavigne's “Sk8er Boi.”



The tech savvy bought this new gadget called an “iPod.”
iPodThe Harry Potter trio still looked like this—and they were only on the second movie.

Harry Potter Trio

 

The Rock was still a wrestler.
The Rock

 

Michelle Kwan was going for gold.

Teenagers played Halo. (The Wii was still years away.)
Halo

 

Angelina Jolie was married to Billy Bob Thornton, and Brad Pitt was married to Jennifer Aniston.

Brangelina

The only "app" was Snake on the blue Nokia phone.

[Snake

Bill Gates worked full time at Microsoft. John Arnold started his hedge fund.

Bill Gates

Britney Spears tried her hand at acting in Crossroads. The Ring was still freaking everyone out.

Britney Spears in Crossroads

ER and Friends were some of the most popular shows on TV.

Friends Cast

Fordham released reports on standards…oh wait, we still do that.

Fordham Report on Standards

Lance Armstrong was a Tour de France winner.

Lance Armstong

America tearfully watched the finales of the X-Files, Felicity, and Ally McBeal, but luckily also saw the premieres of The Bachelor, Dr. Phil, and American Idol (a seventeen-year-old Kelly Clarkson won that first season).

American Idol

***

It's safe to say that NCLB is long overdue for a revamp. We didn't need these pop culture references to know that. To hear Mike's, Kathleen's, and Matt's take on NCLB, tune in Wednesday at 10 a.m. EST.

Michelle Lerner is the communications director at the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, where she leads the Institute’s relationships with the press, develops communications and outreach strategies, and serves as the Fordham "brand czar." She started at Fordham as the media relations and outreach manager, where she led Fordham's social-media content and events. Prior to joining Fordham, Michelle worked as communications manager…

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