How is "no child left behind" affecting the critical thinking skills of our students?

Question

I'm not a teacher so I don't understand the program, but if all it is is multiple choice testing I think it is a bad idea. It will produce better menu readers but will not help students express and compare ideas.

Answer 1

Ok - so to your question - which has been confirmed by a past college professor of mine. Students are losing their critical thinking skills. In order for President Bush to quickly see how the nation's schools are doing there has too be data. The fastest, most efficient data to collect is multiple choice scores. So, most states have gone to multiple choice testing. Because the pressure is on to do well, administrators and teachers aim for this year end multiple choice test. They teach strategies for multiple choice, and they often use test generators that come directly from previous year questions. These questions come from specific standards that the state has made for each grade level.

The most authentic type of assessment is through discussion, essay, long answer, papers, and portfolios - things that allow for clarification and depth into material. Multiple choice only shows that you either know it or you don't. So - because schools are pressured to pass the know it or don't test, that is what they teach. They don't have time for the authentic assessments - which would teach critical thinking skills.

Private schools can accomplish this, however, because they do not rely on federal funding.

More on Child Left Behind
The federal mandate requires that all states show annual yearly progress (AYP) over the next several years, until eventually all states can show that 100 percent of the students are passing at acceptable levels. This, to some degree, includes immigrants and students that are learning disabled.

The intent is to hold schools and teachers accountable for ensuring that "no child is left behind". We are not allowed to say - that is impossible! Instead, we are forced to find new approaches that reach each child so that they can succeed. I think this intent is noble and understanding - the problem is, it is impossible.

Analogies I have heard are like saying to a doctor or a lawyer. Heal every patient and win every case. Or blue collar - make every burger perfect and make sure the building does not fall down.

The problem is the inconsistency of resources, teachers, parents, administrators, tests, and students. Although the federal government has distributed funds to help put reading programs (and others) into place in "failing" schools - it is not enough. These schools lack other resources necessary to a good education.

Education is not just school and teachers - it is parents too. And many parents, either due to home constraints (single parent, multiple jobs, disability) or due to share lack of caring are unable or unwilling to support the schools for volunteering, and the after school academics that must take place in order to have complete learning.

Every employer, not just education, has bad eggs too. Poor education (which the gov't is trying to fix by requiring 'highly qualified teachers'), poor attitude, burn out, and lack of experience hurts a schools chances of completely educating a child.

The child too, plays a big roll. Video games, tv, and other immediate feedback interactions force teachers to use new strategies that are difficult for some teachers to implement.

Ok - so to your question - which has been confirmed by a past college professor of mine. Students are losing their critical thinking skills. In order for President Bush to quickly see how the nation's schools are doing there has too be data. The fastest, most efficient data to collect is multiple choice scores. So, most states have gone to multiple choice testing. Because the pressure is on to do well, administrators and teachers aim for this year end multiple choice test. They teach strategies for multiple choice, and they often use test generators that come directly from previous year questions. These questions come from specific standards that the state has made for each grade level.

Answer 2

The stated position is close to meaningless. It opposes only programs that pretend to teach critical thinking, but which have the purpose of undermining parental authority. No such programs have ever been proposed, of course. As a native Texan, however, I know that the Texas Republican Party covertly opposes teaching critical thinking skills to children. Doing so would not be in the best interests of the Texas Republican Party, which counts on the majority of Texans to vote contrary to their own best interest. Edited to add: In an interview in June, Republican Party of Texas Communications Director Chris Elam was not sure what the Education Subcommittee was trying to say. “I think the intent is that the Republican Party is opposed to the values clarification method that serves the purpose of challenging students beliefs and undermine parental authority,” he said.

Answer 3

My guess is it's not. Children in America aren't really taught how to think. They are taught to memorize and regurgitate facts and figures. How many elementary and secondary schools do you know which require courses in logic, and/or philosophy and mathematical foundations? Boy George is more interested in stuffing kids' heads full of information, rather than equipping them with the tools to use it properly. Why do you think teachers across America are teaching to the assessment tests rather than teaching the skills necessary to both learn and evaluate information?

Answer 4

It teaches them to bubble in answers correctly.

You mean, that's NOT what employers want in the youth of America??

Answer 5

we are teaching our kids to be stupid...they are not really learing anything if all teaching has to be at the lowest level so all can understand...