'No Child' red 'schoolhouse' removed

WASHINGTON, June 23 (UPI) -- The faux "red schoolhouse" at the entrance of the U.S. Department of Education, a symbol of the "No Child Left Behind" law, has been ripped down, observers say.

The structures, erected by the Bush administration to symbolize its efforts to make local U.S. schools more accountable, are gone, along with the name of law, which Democrats say has become "toxic" because of its unpopularity with educators, The Washington Post reported Tuesday.

The newspaper said "No Child" logos have been taken off the Education Department elevators and official correspondence with states now refer to the law's original name, the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. During the weekend workers reportedly pulled down the "schoolhouse" and its "No Child Left Behind" sign.

Whether the law's provisions, which mandate testing for U.S. school students and sanctions for underperforming schools, will remain is uncertain. The Post said current U.S. Education Secretary Arne Duncan has not offered any specifics on how he wants to see the law revamped and Congress has not yet attempted to institute any overhauls.

The Post quoted Matthew Yale, deputy chief of staff for Duncan, saying the department is considering holding a contest to rename the law.