U.S. public schools have left millions of children behind during the nearly 13 years since then-President George W.?Bush signed into law a measure he and many in Congress hoped would reform education.

Throughout the nation, many schools are doing no better than before the No Child Left Behind law was implemented. Many are worse.

NCLB is on its way to the scrap heap. The House of Representatives recently voted 359-64 to make major changes to federal law on public schools.

A basic shift in philosophy may occur if the Senate agrees to the bill next week. The House measure would scale back pressure for states to adopt the controversial Common Core curriculum and testing program. It is intended to restore control over schools to local and state officials.

Two important changes proposed by Rep. David McKinley, R-W.Va., were adopted. One requires school effectiveness to be gauged in multiple ways, not just through standardized testing. Another is meant to ensure “paraprofessional” educators are qualified to teach.

Perhaps the major mistake by all involved in NCLB was in believing it would be some sort of panacea, improving schools through federal edicts. Lawmakers seem to be under no illusion this time around.