No Child Left Behind?

Question

As a teacher of 8 years, I am having trouble understanding how anyone in their right mind would think the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) is actually working. Every child is different, and therefore, every child learns differently. How could a child with a 60 IQ possibly function on the same level as a child with a normal or above average IQ? Any thoughts concerning this matter?

Answer 1

I couldn't agree with you more. I have been a professor for 7 years, and though currently NCLB does not directly impact me in higher ed, I see the outcome of it all the time. The students DO NOT come to me more prepared, in fact they arrive culturally illiterate, bored with education and uninspired. Some are better test takers, but that act in itself is meaningless when they do not retain the information, but merely the strategies for success on an exam. Give them an essay asking for analysis of cultural or social problems and they lack the context to discuss it cogently. The people who feel that it is a good thing are those, usually not in education, who have no understanding of the cognitive functions of the human mind. They lack understanding of the way education works for children, and are blind to the destructive qualities of NCLB. I believe, it is the product of having an educational systems run by attorneys and politicians instead of educators.
It is based on the misguided notion, that unless there are standardized tests, there are no standards. It completely neglects the idea that though each educator may have different strategies, and will modify them accordingly to the needs of students, there are standard outcomes and objectives. I feel sorry for the educators who are stuck with this foolishness, but maybe together we can beat it, and save the future of American Education

Answer 2

I thought it meant that each Child was
given the chance for an Education.

As long as they can show this.
That's how they get away with it.
Whether a child learns anything or not.

Schools used to have Special Education
Teachers, that taught the lower IQ children.

Now they put them all together, and call it Main streaming. So the Special Education Teacher is in the classroom, like an Aide.

Sometimes the Parent won't accept their
child being a Special Education, or a
Special Needs Child. They want them
to be in a regular classroom.

The Special Needs Child. I think this Child
fits in with being the "No Child Left Behind".
Some of these children have low IQ's,
can't talk, wear diapers, have mental problems.
In my Grandfathers day some of these
children may have been Institutionalized.

That was then, this is now.
Today they aren't left behind.
( I think of it as not being " tucked away").

I used to work in the Public School System.

Answer 3

Yea, the whole thing is crazy.
Federal law states that it is left up to the states how and what they teach children. But, federal has stepped in with this NCLB crap and violated their own laws by not letting states take care of education now.

I would like to know if this is what you see in schools. Teachers can not teach the way they want to now, in fact they can't teach at all. Since this NCLB started, they have to spoon feed what is going to be on these state tests to the kids to make them memorize this stuff, so they can get better scores.
In turn, the schools get more money.

This just appalls me. For the students and the teachers.
I have also heard lots of times, and read lots of news reports, that schools cheat these test scores, don't even count the low ones, etc.

And schools go out of their way to make sure the kids memorize what is on these tests. They have afterschool programs, and things like this to help the kids who score low.

Most times these are the same kids who have learning problems that the school will fight to no end to NOT help them.

But yet, they will bend over backwards to help them so the school can make more money!!?!

It is horrible and I just wanted to see if this is what you have seen in schools.

Please email [e-mail] to let me know if you would like to.

Answer 4

You have repeated the major criticism of the No Child Left Behind Act. This law is currently being considered for renewal. The NEA has made certain suggestions.

One change that I hope is accepted is to have a measurement of growth for individual children rather than then meeting an arbitrary standard.

You may find the sites below interesting.

Answer 5

only a politician with an IQ of 60 would come up with the concept in the first place

Answer 6

You are right. It doesn't make any sense. That is why online course web sites like TeacherContact.com are popping up to server the needs of brighter children. It also gives teachers freedom to teach what they want.

http://www.teachercontact.com

Answer 7

It's all smoke and mirrors so to speak. Fed to the brain dead of our country. You know, the "blinded by the light" far right supporters of the present administration.

Answer 8

It is an excellent example of solutions given by people with very little (if any) personal daily contact with education.

Answer 9

yes you are right we are all indivduals in our own right and should be treat accordingly.