TEACHERS:What problems have you faced due to the NCLB act,how do you deal with them?

Question

Also, if given a choice how would you restructure the public education system in America. Are there any benefits from the NCLB act?

Carly, I don't know whether that is the best, or worst thing I have heard. Right before I asked this question I was, after reading teacher's comments, struggling with the idea of changing my elem. ed. teaching major. I felt like because of what I have seen, there may be too much paper work, and not enough freedom to teach beyond the test. I should also mention, I think that testing is not an accurate determinant of capabilities. I know that there are times I cram material to do well on an exam, only to find out a month later I don't recall ever having seen half of the material. There has to be a better way to determine if our children are "learning:.

Answer 1

I am a teacher who is very much against NCLB. I teach special education students and it is ludicrous to believe that it is possible to bring them up to standard in a set number of years. They have a disability and lower IQ's and there is no magic cure for that. NCLB has made my teaching less creative and not as much fun for the students or me.

Answer 2

I left the teaching career. All the redundant paperwork and meetings just to comply with NCLB is past ridiculous. Teachers arrive at school at 6:30 AM and leave at 6:30 PM. During the 7 week summer, they are expected to tutor, teach summer school, or attend seminars. NCLB requires teachers to teach a child to select A,B,C, D answers so that child can pass all of those very costly standarized tests. Teaching should be about showing a child how to make critical decisions and how to think and plan creatively. NCLB certainly killed that !