can someone please explain the no child left behind act?

Answer 1

It is a vain attempt to quantify something inherently subjective.

Answer 2

This is an over-simplification, but here is, essentially how the NCLB Act works.

The federal government requires that all students in grades 3 - 8 be tested in math and reading. The individual states give their own tests and submit the results to the feds. If the scores are too low, or if there is a significant gap between the achievement of white and minority students, the school gets extra money. However, if the scores do not show improvement after 2 years, the money gets taken away.

If a school's low scores don't improve, or if their scores get lower, the school is labeled as a "School in Need of Improvement" (SINI). If your child's school is labeled a SINI, you have the option to transfer your child to another school. If the school is a SINI for 2 years in a row, your child can get free after school tutoring, provided by private companies like Kaplan and paid for by the federal government.

Through NCLB, failing schools can apply for special programs like Reading First, which is K - 3 reading curriculum paid for by the federal government.

Lastly, if the school does not show improvement in test scores, the federal government can take punitive measures - although I have no idea what those measures are, and I've never heard of it happening. Usually when a school is failing, the district or state steps in and shuts the school down or takes it over.

Answer 3

Absolutely. I went to Reading High School, which has attempted multiple lawsuits against the Bush Administration for this legislation. And, for good reason; Reading is a gangbanger town, filled with kids who truly just do not give a ****. But about 10% of them are the exact opposite, real achievers who could potentially go somewhere in life. The 80% dipshit statistic (I was one, at that point, so I know), however, drove down the standardized testing scores. 0% has a big effect, and lots of students really make a point of not giving a ****. So, this needy school with trailer-classrooms and deteriorating walls... no longer has federal funding. I HATE No Child Left Behind, just like any other expat of East Reading.

Answer 4

The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), commonly known as NCLB, is a United States federal law that reauthorizes a number of federal programs that aim to improve the performance of U.S.'s primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend. Additionally, it promotes an increased focus on reading and re-authorizes the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). NCLB is the latest federal legislation (another was Goals 2000) which enact the theories of standards-based education reform, formerly known as outcome-based education which is based on the belief that high expectations and setting of goals will result in success for all students.

The effectiveness and desirability of NCLB's measures continue to be a matter of vigorous controversy. On May 3, 2005, Utah governor Jon Huntsman signed a measure into state law that allows that state's districts to ignore provisions of the law that conflict with that state's programs, making it the first state to enact such a law. The Department of Education has threatened to withhold federal education funding as a result.

Answer 5

Cty, You hit the nail on the head. I taught school for 8 years. I did several other jobs before that. Teaching was the only one where it doesn't matter how hard you work. You can do nothing all year, turn in the right paperwork, maintain a semblance of discipline, and prepare your students for one test. As long as they pass it, your job is done.
Of course most teachers beat their heads against the wall trying to really teach the kids, and are constantly told to get them ready for "THE TEST".
I've seen a school try to follow the rules and get decent grades. I've seen a school cheat and get better grades.
I've seen a school basically shut down for 4 weeks and do nothing but prepare for the test. They did well also.
Now I don't teach anymore.
I loved working with the kids. I was more qualified to teach the subjects I taught than 90% of the people doing it. You just get tired of feeling like it doesn't matter.

Answer 6

No Child Left Behind - Football Version!

The football version of what is going on in education right now. (If
you're not an educator, this may not make a lot of sense to you. But
send it to your friends who are in education. They will love it!)

For all the educators. In or out of the system.



NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND ---The Football Version

1. All teams must make the state playoffs and all MUST win the
championship.

If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation
until they are the champions, and coaches will be held accountable. If
after two years they have not won the championship their footballs and
equipmentwill be taken away UNTIL they do win the championship.

2. All kids will be expected to have the same football skills at the
same time even if they do not have the same conditions or opportunities
to practice on their own. NO exceptions will be made for lack of
interest in football, a desire to perform athletically, or genetic
abilities or disabilities of themselves or their parents.

ALL KIDS WILL PLAY FOOTBALL AT A PROFICIENT LEVEL!

3. Talented players will be asked to workout on their own, without
instruction. This is because the coaches will be using all their
instructional time with the athletes who aren't interested in
football,havelimited athletic ability or whose parents don't like
football.

4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept in
the 4th, 8th, and 11th game.

It will create a New Age of Sports where every school is expected to
have the same level of talent and all teams will reach the same minimum
goals. If no child gets ahead, then no child gets left behind.

If parents do not like this new law, they are encouraged to vote for
vouchers and support private schools that can screen out the
non-athletes and prevent their children from having to go to school with
bad football players.

Answer 7

Very bad program with good intentions. It's promoted by our "Bush for brains" President, whereby he guarantees that no child will be left behind. This is easily accomplished since he plans to make sure that no child will be advancing either.

This website explains the program:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act

Answer 8

Simple. The government has decided to punish liberals who no longer teach children in the classroom anymore.