What you need to know about No child left behind

[grhayes]

Hi my name is George Hayes
I was at my son's school today and having a discussion with the staff about my son has learned nothing in the last 2 years at there school at all. He is in first grade. Everything he knew before entering the school.

I asked why this was. Why his teacher when I asked her to at least give him some more advanced work refused to.

The response boils down to this. Every class room in the US since "No Child Left Behind," was enacted has become a special ed class room. If that isn't clear understand it this way before there used to be 3 different class at least in most schools. A normal class for normal children, a remedial class for slower children, and an Advanced class for gift or more intelligent children.

The effect of no child left behind stuck the remedial children in the class with the normal children. Because they could not keep up they lowered the standard to the point they could pass. Which means they moved it down to an IQ range as low as about 70. Below 70 is for severely retarded individuals and falls out side the normal education requirements.

So if you have a normal or moderately advanced child they are being effectively punished for attending a public school. Personally I don't think that is fair to the children or to the parents of those children.

We need to get the point across not every child is going to become a doctor or a rocket scientist or engineer. Some are destined to dig a ditch for a living like it or not. There is nothing wrong with honest and hard work someone has to do it. It may not pay as much and may not be as glamorous but even if you pretend your child is normal when he hits the real world away from you, he/ she is going to be rudely awakened when people refuse to hire your child for jobs you lead them to believe they can do. Do your child a favor and help them build some character.

I know I am going to hear someone say well why don't you school your child at home or in a private school. First, I do school him at home on top of what the school gives. Which is why he is doing a lot of advanced topics everything from programing to physics. They don't teach that in first grade. He can already read at a 12th grade level. But why should I have to pull my son out of a public school to give him an education when I am paying taxes for them to do it. I would be glad to pull him out as soon as I get my taxes back. The other issue I have is my ex wants him in a public school at least one with children so he is around other children at least what she has established in family court. I have primary custody. To change things requires another trip in and out of a court. But the big point is I should not have to I am paying them for it as it is. You also don't hear me saying take your retarded child and put them in a different school. No, I feel that they used to offer choices for both children the normal and special needs.

The way I have proved my point to their staff was I kept all the stuff he was doing before he entered their school. I then kept all his school work for the last 2 years. The stuff he has been learning at home the last 2 years is mostly different material and kept separate. He learned nothing for 2 years not because of attending public schools. This is one of the top 10 rated in the country.

My sons school ranking http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindivphp/SchID_14838_year_2007.html
You wonder how they have failures with such a retarded education system. Pretty simple because the kids that are failing are not capable of handling that even. Plus you have children who speak no English and the parents speak no English and yet are required to com jump into the same track and given not time to learn the language.

You also have issues with teachers who refuse to go beyond the curriculum. My son actually got yelled at because he brought a outside work book to school. Their excuse was what if another parent saw it they may demand we give the same to their child. I told them explain to them that he brought it from home his parents work with him to learn more. Of course they would hear none of that.

If they could they would stop you from giving your child any extra education just so some retarded child doesn't feel left behind.

That is what, "No Child Left Behind," is really about feelings, not letting some child feel that they left out or different or less or some garbage.

[Ol'Army]

One word.........................VOUCHERS!

[Celtic Pax]

Public schools often set standards to the lowest common denominator since to do otherwise would look bad to the community. The liberal mantra has been that all children can learn forgetting that not all children have the same mental capability or inclination to learn at the same level. So, the bulk of money is spent on the least capable students to somehow raise their level achievement while letting the higher achievers to look after themselves. Sort of an "anti-elitist" attitude that has been prevalent in US society for many years. A product of Populism (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Populism) and Pluralism (political theory) (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pluralism_%28political_theory%29) in American history for many years.

http://www.scientificblogging.com/news_releases/antielitism_toward_gifted_kids_needs_stop_says_pro fessor

[whig]

I feel your pain. I have never collected unemployment or welfare and could use the tax refund. Has your child tested for the GATE program? Unfortunately the public school system is set up to serve the masses, hence the word public. However, if we truly are to become a globally competitive nation, we may have to institute some form of tracking, and package it in a politically correct form. If the GATE program does not satisfy your child's intellectual capabilities, you may have to consider an alternative educational setting. Legally the school has to provide your child with the least restrictive environment. If you can prove the setting is too restrictive, you may be able to require the district to pay. School districts hate litigation, they would probably cave at the mere mention.

[TheRealBigDaddy]

The response boils down to this. Every class room in the US since "No Child Left Behind," was enacted has become a special ed class room. If that isn't clear understand it this way before there used to be 3 different class at least in most schools. A normal class for normal children, a remedial class for slower children, and an Advanced class for gift or more intelligent children.

The effect of no child left behind stuck the remedial children in the class with the normal children.

I'm calling you out. My wife is a teacher, about to graduate with her Master's degree in Reading and already passed the licensure testing to be a Reading Specialist i.e. Title I teacher. I talk to her every single day and she is working with a school as part of one of her classes and guess what, the students are segregated in the classes by their performance levels. My sister-in-law teaches at the high school here and teaches a remedial math class. The school also has regular classes, honors classes, and even advanced placement (college level) classes.

Based on all of that, I have to conclude without a doubt that NCLB does not do what you state it does.

Anway, wikipedia is not a real authoritative source, but the problem at your school is probably limited funding since they have to spend so much money bringing the remedial students up to par, they don't have the money for the higher programs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act

[TheRealBigDaddy]

If my post above came off sounding rude, I apologize. That wasn't my intention.

I just feel that your school is stating it is required under NCLB, when it's more likely a funding problem.

[lawandorder]

Hi my name is George Hayes
I was at my son's school today and having a discussion with the staff about my son has learned nothing in the last 2 years at there school at all. He is in first grade. Everything he knew before entering the school.

I asked why this was. Why his teacher when I asked her to at least give him some more advanced work refused to.

The response boils down to this. Every class room in the US since "No Child Left Behind," was enacted has become a special ed class room. If that isn't clear understand it this way before there used to be 3 different class at least in most schools. A normal class for normal children, a remedial class for slower children, and an Advanced class for gift or more intelligent children.

The effect of no child left behind stuck the remedial children in the class with the normal children. Because they could not keep up they lowered the standard to the point they could pass. Which means they moved it down to an IQ range as low as about 70. Below 70 is for severely retarded individuals and falls out side the normal education requirements.

So if you have a normal or moderately advanced child they are being effectively punished for attending a public school. Personally I don't think that is fair to the children or to the parents of those children.

We need to get the point across not every child is going to become a doctor or a rocket scientist or engineer. Some are destined to dig a ditch for a living like it or not. There is nothing wrong with honest and hard work someone has to do it. It may not pay as much and may not be as glamorous but even if you pretend your child is normal when he hits the real world away from you, he/ she is going to be rudely awakened when people refuse to hire your child for jobs you lead them to believe they can do. Do your child a favor and help them build some character.

I know I am going to hear someone say well why don't you school your child at home or in a private school. First, I do school him at home on top of what the school gives. Which is why he is doing a lot of advanced topics everything from programing to physics. They don't teach that in first grade. He can already read at a 12th grade level. But why should I have to pull my son out of a public school to give him an education when I am paying taxes for them to do it. I would be glad to pull him out as soon as I get my taxes back. The other issue I have is my ex wants him in a public school at least one with children so he is around other children at least what she has established in family court. I have primary custody. To change things requires another trip in and out of a court. But the big point is I should not have to I am paying them for it as it is. You also don't hear me saying take your retarded child and put them in a different school. No, I feel that they used to offer choices for both children the normal and special needs.

The way I have proved my point to their staff was I kept all the stuff he was doing before he entered their school. I then kept all his school work for the last 2 years. The stuff he has been learning at home the last 2 years is mostly different material and kept separate. He learned nothing for 2 years not because of attending public schools. This is one of the top 10 rated in the country.

My sons school ranking http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindivphp/SchID_14838_year_2007.html
You wonder how they have failures with such a retarded education system. Pretty simple because the kids that are failing are not capable of handling that even. Plus you have children who speak no English and the parents speak no English and yet are required to com jump into the same track and given not time to learn the language.

You also have issues with teachers who refuse to go beyond the curriculum. My son actually got yelled at because he brought a outside work book to school. Their excuse was what if another parent saw it they may demand we give the same to their child. I told them explain to them that he brought it from home his parents work with him to learn more. Of course they would hear none of that.

If they could they would stop you from giving your child any extra education just so some retarded child doesn't feel left behind.

That is what, "No Child Left Behind," is really about feelings, not letting some child feel that they left out or different or less or some garbage.

I'm not sure exactly about children bringing in "workbooks" from outside. If it is a classroom related book, but not what the rest of the students are being taught, that isn't part of the curriculum, then the only purpose for the outside workbook, is if your child has some free time to work on it at school. I agree with you totally about NCLB. It is the worst piece of legislation every passed. Where I teach, we literally do have mentally retarded students. They have been placed in a "special ed" classroom. We have downs syndrome as well. We also have what is called the BEST classes. There students have severe emotional and learning disabilities. Most, but not all, are from backgrounds infested with drugs and violence. These kids can be very difficult, and dangerous. We have cross-catagorical classes. A student may be in the 6th grade, but has a learning disability and is more on the lower end of the 6th grade, but they have to take the ISTEP that "normal" sixth graders take. In fact, we are taking ISTEP's this week. (it's been a long week). NCLB is a "one size fits all", but one size doesn't fit all! Please, this isn't the fault of teachers. The past administration past this piece of legislation. There are some teachers who will go beyond the curriculum and try to teach other things, if time and schedules allow it. Our teaching is mostly geared toward testing, and more testing. My friend, until you have walked a day in the shoes of today's teachers, please don't be too harsh on us.

[pubschteacher]

One word.........................VOUCHERS!

Two numbers........................................... .............0-12

Vouchers are not the answer

[page017]

My big problem with NCLB is it spends so much time counting each and every group, and how many diplomas they get, that they aren't measuring what the diplomas are worth anymore. Once schools are judged based on what their diplomas mean, then the schools will spend their time working to make sure that their standards mean something. But since their funding, and attention they get in the media is based on test scores and passing rates, thats what the schools spend their time working on. A school is better off dragging a kid who couldn't care less, through the watered down graduation requirements, and sending them off into the world completly unprepared, then to uphold the standards of their diploma.

And the original poster is absolutly right about their needing to be three tracks in every school. That really is the most fair to everybody, but the politicians only see that the people in the upper tracks do better. So they assume that if everyone was pushed into the upper tracks, everyone would do better. But the slower kids can't handle it, get frustrated, slow the entire class down, and to make sure that the passing rates are acceptable, the standards are lowered to make sure everyone with a pulse makes it over the bar, whether they make it over themselves, or are dragged over by their teachers and administrators, who don't want to look bad if the kid doesn't make it.

[Long Island Bob]

. . . . And the original poster is absolutly right about their needing to be three tracks in every school. . . . . .

I agree with the above

other than that . . . . well . . . I agree with the above.

[Monster_Mom_22]

I wouldn't necessarily say the problem is with NCLB, but rather with how school districts and education experts responded to NCLB.

NCLB states that schools must do everything to ensure that no child is left behind. To that end the bill calls for mandatory testing of every student in the district against standards established by the state's department of education. NCLB mandates that school districts calculate and monitor student performance on the state-wide tests for various ethnic and social grouping - white, black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, other nationalities, Special Ed, Disadvantaged, Male, and Female) that that school districts demonstrate annual yearly progress in increasing test scores both overall and in each of the AYP sub-groups. NCLB further mandates that school districts enact policies and programs to close the achievement gap - which is the difference between pass rates for white students and the other AYP subgroups. And to put some teeth behind the mandates, NCLB tied federal funding to AYP.

The theory was that states would develop rigorous standards and school districts would adopt instructional programs that met those rigorous standards. That teachers would evaluate student learning more frequently and intervene as early as possible when a child appeared to be slipping behind. And because schools had to report progress for all of the ethnic and social subgroups, they couldn't just focus on bringing one group up so that the averages were high enough to get by.

Unfortunately the theory went for a hard ride when it got smacked in the face with reality.

States were worried about students meeting rigorous standards and set the bar low enough that most students could pass the tests on the first day of school.

School districts freaked out about the requirement, especially as it was tied to funding. So districts decided that they had to find ways to narrow the achievement gap and ensure progress in the AYP sub-groups and they adopted and implemented dumbed down curriculum and used concerns about NCLB and AYP as justification for adopting the remedial curricula.

And yes, I have an email from a REPUBLICAN school board member in my school district which states just this - that my school district adopted a less rigorous math program in part because they felt the program would help decrease the achievement gap.

Because schools only have limited resources, those resources are allocated to first to developmental programs as required under the ADA, then to what my state calls SOL remediation, then to gifted programs, and finally to everyone else. In my state, teachers are required to meet with their students who are assessed below grade level on state tested topics every day, with their highest achieving students at least twice a week, and once every 5 instructional days with the other students.

Because these requirements placed a huge burden on teachers with classes with 25 students in them, school districts began looking to instructional program that had lots of self-discovery and collaborative learning. That way teachers could get the kids started on something which they'd figure out together while she focused her attention on the under performing students. Advanced students got the next level of attention and, because they are advanced, they're expected to help their lower performing classmates grasp concepts during group exercises.

Many math programs provide scripted lessons to teachers which 10 minutes of direct instruction, followed by 20 minutes of group activities, followed by a 10 minute recap and review.

During the group activity time slot students are expected to play games or complete group exercises related to the subject at hand, then complete their daily workbook exercises. The teacher will call up various groups of students to go over the topic in more detail and guide the students she's called up while they complete their workbook exercises. Remember, the kids who are below grade level meet with the teacher for individual instruction every day and advanced students meet with her at least twice a week.

During the lesson recap the teacher reviews what they learned and discusses the correct solutions for the workbook exercises which students are expected to mark and correct themselves.

These trends were occurring in classroom before NCLB, but NCLB has certainly sped the spread of these types of programs. So, while NCLB has had an effect, it isn't the sole reason our educational system is meeting the needs of fewer and fewer children.

[Long Island Bob]

I'm a HUGE fan of NCLB.

but that's not so say i find it flawless.

Among its flaws: Because it has only one "track" for all students it places all emphasis on "at-risk" students.

Time energy and resources spent focusng on at-risk students sometimes means less time energy and resources devoted to advanced students.

[Safiel]

The main trouble with NCLB, like many other things, is that it is unconstitutional. The Federal Government has no delegated power in the area of education. When you have a bunch of out of touch politicians in Washington, who most likely haven't been near a public school in 20+ years, making policy you are going to get catastrophically bad results, such as NCLB.

The Federal Government needs to get out of education entirely and leave the issue to the states, as the Constitution intends.

[grhayes]

I wouldn't necessarily say the problem is with NCLB, but rather with how school districts and education experts responded to NCLB.

NCLB states that schools must do everything to ensure that no child is left behind. To that end the bill calls for mandatory testing of every student in the district against standards established by the state's department of education. NCLB mandates that school districts calculate and monitor student performance on the state-wide tests for various ethnic and social grouping - white, black, Hispanic, American Indian, Asian, other nationalities, Special Ed, Disadvantaged, Male, and Female) that that school districts demonstrate annual yearly progress in increasing test scores both overall and in each of the AYP sub-groups. NCLB further mandates that school districts enact policies and programs to close the achievement gap - which is the difference between pass rates for white students and the other AYP subgroups. And to put some teeth behind the mandates, NCLB tied federal funding to AYP.

The theory was that states would develop rigorous standards and school districts would adopt instructional programs that met those rigorous standards. That teachers would evaluate student learning more frequently and intervene as early as possible when a child appeared to be slipping behind. And because schools had to report progress for all of the ethnic and social subgroups, they couldn't just focus on bringing one group up so that the averages were high enough to get by.

Unfortunately the theory went for a hard ride when it got smacked in the face with reality.

States were worried about students meeting rigorous standards and set the bar low enough that most students could pass the tests on the first day of school.

School districts freaked out about the requirement, especially as it was tied to funding. So districts decided that they had to find ways to narrow the achievement gap and ensure progress in the AYP sub-groups and they adopted and implemented dumbed down curriculum and used concerns about NCLB and AYP as justification for adopting the remedial curricula.

And yes, I have an email from a REPUBLICAN school board member in my school district which states just this - that my school district adopted a less rigorous math program in part because they felt the program would help decrease the achievement gap.

Because schools only have limited resources, those resources are allocated to first to developmental programs as required under the ADA, then to what my state calls SOL remediation, then to gifted programs, and finally to everyone else. In my state, teachers are required to meet with their students who are assessed below grade level on state tested topics every day, with their highest achieving students at least twice a week, and once every 5 instructional days with the other students.

Because these requirements placed a huge burden on teachers with classes with 25 students in them, school districts began looking to instructional program that had lots of self-discovery and collaborative learning. That way teachers could get the kids started on something which they'd figure out together while she focused her attention on the under performing students. Advanced students got the next level of attention and, because they are advanced, they're expected to help their lower performing classmates grasp concepts during group exercises.

Many math programs provide scripted lessons to teachers which 10 minutes of direct instruction, followed by 20 minutes of group activities, followed by a 10 minute recap and review.

During the group activity time slot students are expected to play games or complete group exercises related to the subject at hand, then complete their daily workbook exercises. The teacher will call up various groups of students to go over the topic in more detail and guide the students she's called up while they complete their workbook exercises. Remember, the kids who are below grade level meet with the teacher for individual instruction every day and advanced students meet with her at least twice a week.

During the lesson recap the teacher reviews what they learned and discusses the correct solutions for the workbook exercises which students are expected to mark and correct themselves.

These trends were occurring in classroom before NCLB, but NCLB has certainly sped the spread of these types of programs. So, while NCLB has had an effect, it isn't the sole reason our educational system is meeting the needs of fewer and fewer children.

But you did hit the exact issue. That all students have to measure up to a standard. A child with an IQ of 70 is never going to grasp all the information a child with a 100 IQ can learn in the same amount of time. So the only way they can make it so that child with the 70IQ receives the same education is by retarding all the other children's education or standard to a level the 70IQ can gain in that period.

That is unfair to 95% of the children in the education system.

[grhayes]

Two numbers........................................... .............0-12

Vouchers are not the answer

Very much agree make the public school system competitive with private schools. That is what drives industry forward.

[lawandorder]

The liberal mantra? Who signed into law the NCLB?

[RWReaganfan]

The liberal mantra? Who signed into law the NCLB?

Who wrote it?

Teddy Kennedy!

[grhayes]

Who wrote it?

Teddy Kennedy!

The Bush administration came up with it but it was the democrats who modified it into an abomination and then. Even worse is the way the public school systems in each state have taken to the idea of how to implement it.
Here is a link to the US code on education.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode20/usc_sup_01_20.html

This is wear the problem is
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg1.html#sec101
(3)closing the achievement gap between high- and low-performing children, especially the achievement gaps between minority and nonminority students, and between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers;

How do you close the gap between a child with an IQ of 70 and one with an IQ of 100+. The only way to do so is spend a hell of a lot more time with the child with an IQ of 70 or retard the education of the normal children.
Then you got the whining parents complaining that my child is being singled out he feels like a freak because you have to keep him extra hours, he can't play sports or participate in after school activities because he is here all the time. Of course teachers want money to stay after school hours also.

So take a wild guess what ends up happening. They put the child with a 70IQ in the class with the normal children and then dumb the material down to his level so he or she can pass.

Which is why I am looking for an attorney to start a class action suite to get this crap thrown out.

[grhayes]

Who wrote it?

Teddy Kennedy!

The Bush administration came up with it but it was the democrats who modified it into an abomination and then. Even worse is the way the public school systems in each state have taken to the idea of how to implement it.
Here is a link to the US code on education.
http://www4.law.cornell.edu/uscode/uscode20/usc_sup_01_20.html

This is wear the problem is
http://www.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/esea02/pg1.html#sec101
(3)closing the achievement gap between high- and low-performing children, especially the achievement gaps between minority and nonminority students, and between disadvantaged children and their more advantaged peers;

How do you close the gap between a child with an IQ of 70 and one with an IQ of 100+. The only way to do so is spend a hell of a lot more time with the child with an IQ of 70 or retard the education of the normal children.
Then you got the whining parents complaining that my child is being singled out he feels like a freak because you have to keep him extra hours, he can't play sports or participate in after school activities because he is here all the time. Of course teachers want money to stay after school hours also.

So take a wild guess what ends up happening. They put the child with a 70IQ in the class with the normal children and then dumb the material down to his level so he or she can pass.

Which is why I am looking for an attorney to start a class action suite to get this crap thrown out.

[lawandorder]

Who wrote it?

Teddy Kennedy!

He certainly was in favor of it, Bush was very fond of it and signed it into law. They were both wrong. I'm hopful that Mr. Kennedy now realizes that there is much to be reformed about this law.

[Barnyardmare]

Students with learning disabilities are average or above average in intelligence. They qualify under Americans with Disabilities Act to get assistance to help them in the subject they struggle in. The schools get the funding for NCLB and ADA.

Both my kids tested out for Learning Disabilities (my son in reading while in 3rd grade and my daughter in math as a junior, but both were also gifted students) The problem? The first school my son was in, didn't recognize his problems because ALL the kids had reading problems in his class because his teacher was a JOKE! The second school I sent my son to (while I was finishing my degree) the principal came to me and asked if they could test him! (THEY CAME TO ME and this was a school with students from 20 different countries and 25 different languages spoken by the kids) The principal said he wanted to make sure my son got the best education he could get! I said go for it. My boy got the help he needed until we had to move back to his old school After a year in the old school, I pulled him out and sent him to my parents and they put him in a school that used the NCLB money and ADA money that was allocated for my son, to help my son.

Likewise, my daughter stuggled with math but still managed to get straight A's until her junior year. The teacher REFUSED to help her and my daughter got her one and only B in her life (it devestated her) So she was tested and she was LD in math. The teacher did not help her and the school didn't get her the help she needed. So I moved her to another high school between her jr and sr year. She got the help she needed as well! She even took college algebra and got an A. HMMM. what is wrong with NCLB? Most schools dont' use the funding to help the ones in need. Then when they get extra money for students under ADA, they put it elsewhere as well.

I wish I could have sent my kids to private schools! I know they would have a better education in elementary and secondary education. Fortunately, I taught them other things that their schools didn't teach and they also attended some of my college classes and they picked up stuff there as well. NCLB is not working if they funding isn't being used properly and the schools aren't willing to actually TEACH.

If I had taken the teacher's at the bad schools advice, neither one of my k ids would have graduated and gone to college. BOTH kids are on the dean's lists now, both learning disabled but success stories because MOM wanted better for them. Find a school that teaches your kids! Who cares if some other kid is struggling. If their parents don't care, why should we care? It isn't up to the schools it is up to the PARENTS to make sure their kid is getting the best education available.

[Monster_Mom_22]

But you did hit the exact issue. That all students have to measure up to a standard. A child with an IQ of 70 is never going to grasp all the information a child with a 100 IQ can learn in the same amount of time. So the only way they can make it so that child with the 70IQ receives the same education is by retarding all the other children's education or standard to a level the 70IQ can gain in that period.

That is unfair to 95% of the children in the education system.

I agree with you, but I'm not convinced that's the fault of NCLB or the fault of the school districts. Rather than keeping the bar where it was and implementing rigorous curricula with equally rigorous standards and allowing students to, ee gads, fail and be held back a grade so they can learn and develop more, they lowered the bar. NCLB didn't tell them to do that, school boards decided to do that.

[RWReaganfan]

I agree with you, but I'm not convinced that's the fault of NCLB or the fault of the school districts. Rather than keeping the bar where it was and implementing rigorous curricula with equally rigorous standards and allowing students to, ee gads, fail and be held back a grade so they can learn and develop more, they lowered the bar. NCLB didn't tell them to do that, school boards decided to do that.

NCLB punishes schools for poor attendance rates, retention rates, dropout rates, and suspensions.

The law stacks the deck against schools so that no one succeeds.

[Army of 1]

as a teacher here is what I have a problem with.
first, this was introduced by someone who has never been in the classroom.
they have aspects that can never ,ever be met. I guarantee you that by 2014 every single school district in the nation we not meet nclb.
problems:
unfortunately not all kids can make it, at least not by standardized test scores. Children who do not read well, will not test well. No matter how well they doin school. there is no test factor for hard work.
special ed, english language learners and mentally challeneged children all take and must pass the same test. It was not until recently that they added time for challenged kids. By the way ell students must take it in english, no matter how long they have been in english schools.
test improvement are judged against the previosu years class not the current students scores from the previous year. So this years 8th graders are tested against last years 8th graders not on improving their 7th grade scores. so in theory you could improve your kids test by 50% but if they are below the year before you have dropped down and do not pass.
so the question is what are we testing?
to pass each school district must have past every sub group. sub groups are minorities, economic groups and things like children with learning disabilities. so if a district has enough of each subgroup to qualify, they fail if that sub group does not pass. you could have 99% of your kids pass the test but fail as a district because of a sub group. last year our district passed 32 or 33 subgroups but did not meet because children with learning disbailities did not pass. there is no gray area.
I am at a high school. we use the act and act work keys for standardized tests. we are mandated as to how you can present these tests. your kids must take 2- 4+ hour tests on consecutive days. if we are testing what they know and not their stamina, why give them such grueling tests all at once? why not a section or two each day for a week?
next, you can not put any criteria for passing. you can not tie passing test to graduation. so the kids have no external reason for doing their best. they must pass both parts to pass the test. however with the first part being the ACT, the top kids can do well on that and blow off the 2nd. there is a sliding scale on it(the better you do on the ACT the lower the score on the work keys needed) but a few years ago we were a student or two from passing as a school. we had 5 kids score 30 or above on the ACT that did not pass overall. which is basically impossible.
ok, now here is the thing- the idea is good but as we approach the 2014 limit of 100% passing more and more schools will be teaching the test and test taking. next year, we have all juniors taking the ACT test course as part of the curriculum. I understand it, but it makes me cringe that we "have" to do this. I am sure similar things will happen at all levels of schooling.
as for your 1st grader. I think your teacher is right and not running a special ed room. your child does not need extra homework, they need to read for enjoyment. they do not need to think of learning as "work". first grade is about organization, social aspects and having fun exploring not about learning higher concepts. those will come. most boys do not start reading until the middle of 1st grade. each brain develops differently and school at that age should be that development not reciting facts.

[stephens37]

NCLB was a cute ploy to get votes. They, those in government, couldn't guarentee jobs for all of the people who were in the low and middle groups at school so they brought in NCLB.

[Army of 1]

what people don't get is that this has all been done before. education is cyclical. we had inclsuidon previously. I guess you could blame NCLB this time but the truth is there is a thought in education that inclusion helps all kids. the top kids raise up the lower kids, and then the top kids learn more by teaching. you know the old saying is the best way to really learn something is to teach it to someone else. I am not saying I am all about this, I am just saying that it isn't just thrown in there because of NCLB, it was an educational theory long before the law.

[Jamie448]

The liberal mantra? Who signed into law the NCLB?

It was signed into law by a Republican. But what many do not know is that it was written by Al Gore.

[Jamie448]

I'm a HUGE fan of NCLB.

but that's not so say i find it flawless.

Among its flaws: Because it has only one "track" for all students it places all emphasis on "at-risk" students.

Time energy and resources spent focusng on at-risk students sometimes means less time energy and resources devoted to advanced students.


I don't know if you are a teacher or not. But, as someone who is about to become a teacher and who has spent a lot of time in classrooms and with high school students, NCLB does little or nothing to help "at-risk" students. NCLB is little more than a dumbing-down of society. Yes, it claims that no child should be left behind. It's main goal, however, seems to ensure that no child get ahead. Critical thinking and true learning are almost impossible with this kind of one-track, test-mode mentality. And then people wonder why truly good, caring teachers no longer want to be in the field of teaching anymore. I can't imagine.

[Jamie448]

Hi my name is George Hayes
I was at my son's school today and having a discussion with the staff about my son has learned nothing in the last 2 years at there school at all. He is in first grade. Everything he knew before entering the school.

I asked why this was. Why his teacher when I asked her to at least give him some more advanced work refused to.

The response boils down to this. Every class room in the US since "No Child Left Behind," was enacted has become a special ed class room. If that isn't clear understand it this way before there used to be 3 different class at least in most schools. A normal class for normal children, a remedial class for slower children, and an Advanced class for gift or more intelligent children.

The effect of no child left behind stuck the remedial children in the class with the normal children. Because they could not keep up they lowered the standard to the point they could pass. Which means they moved it down to an IQ range as low as about 70. Below 70 is for severely retarded individuals and falls out side the normal education requirements.

So if you have a normal or moderately advanced child they are being effectively punished for attending a public school. Personally I don't think that is fair to the children or to the parents of those children.

We need to get the point across not every child is going to become a doctor or a rocket scientist or engineer. Some are destined to dig a ditch for a living like it or not. There is nothing wrong with honest and hard work someone has to do it. It may not pay as much and may not be as glamorous but even if you pretend your child is normal when he hits the real world away from you, he/ she is going to be rudely awakened when people refuse to hire your child for jobs you lead them to believe they can do. Do your child a favor and help them build some character.

I know I am going to hear someone say well why don't you school your child at home or in a private school. First, I do school him at home on top of what the school gives. Which is why he is doing a lot of advanced topics everything from programing to physics. They don't teach that in first grade. He can already read at a 12th grade level. But why should I have to pull my son out of a public school to give him an education when I am paying taxes for them to do it. I would be glad to pull him out as soon as I get my taxes back. The other issue I have is my ex wants him in a public school at least one with children so he is around other children at least what she has established in family court. I have primary custody. To change things requires another trip in and out of a court. But the big point is I should not have to I am paying them for it as it is. You also don't hear me saying take your retarded child and put them in a different school. No, I feel that they used to offer choices for both children the normal and special needs.

The way I have proved my point to their staff was I kept all the stuff he was doing before he entered their school. I then kept all his school work for the last 2 years. The stuff he has been learning at home the last 2 years is mostly different material and kept separate. He learned nothing for 2 years not because of attending public schools. This is one of the top 10 rated in the country.

My sons school ranking http://www.psk12.com/rating/USindivphp/SchID_14838_year_2007.html
You wonder how they have failures with such a retarded education system. Pretty simple because the kids that are failing are not capable of handling that even. Plus you have children who speak no English and the parents speak no English and yet are required to com jump into the same track and given not time to learn the language.

You also have issues with teachers who refuse to go beyond the curriculum. My son actually got yelled at because he brought a outside work book to school. Their excuse was what if another parent saw it they may demand we give the same to their child. I told them explain to them that he brought it from home his parents work with him to learn more. Of course they would hear none of that.

If they could they would stop you from giving your child any extra education just so some retarded child doesn't feel left behind.

That is what, "No Child Left Behind," is really about feelings, not letting some child feel that they left out or different or less or some garbage.

George, I feel your pain. I am about to become a teacher and it's incredibly disheartening to see this type of behavior in our schools. Rather than encouraging growth and critical thinking, schools simply teach from the textbook and typically do not encourage students to think outside the box. You are right, NCLB is not about helping our children to become better and to be all that they can be. It is not about helping them to become brighter and smarter and encouraging them to be themselves and follow their dreams. Instead, the curriculum is dumbed down and critical thinking and problem solving are shunned. I was required to aide in a high school history classroom last year for my education classes, and I never saw any outside reading or straying from the textbook. I never saw any encouragement of critical thinking or questioning of the material. Rather, the teacher taught each lesson the same way, in lecture mode with no discussion or questioning or anything like that. I had the opportunity to observe in several classrooms, and saw the same in each one, and also in other schools that I have observed or aided in. NCLB does not help anyone, George. Not our teachers, not our schools, and especially not our children.

[Stopthinkingsomuch!!!]

OP;
Your child is in the first grade. Unless you are psychic you don't know if those "retarded" kids may graduate top of the class in their senior year; and your child may fail.

By the way, when do you consider a child retarded? In the first grade, junior high, when? I'm not a teacher, but to be so critical of first graders and discount them?

Still you are correct about allowing your child to do some advance work. However you want to send your child to a public school. With that he is apart of the bunch. I am not even sure if public schools have advance schools or classes for first graders?

[JenyEliza]

No Child Left Behind has been a Godsend for me and my children.

We live in predominantly minority area. The schools are ****. They didn't used to be and our area used to be predominantly white and our schools were top-notch. We've owned our house for 13 years. Things were good when we bought the house--they aren't now.

Our middle school and high school have *never* passed NCLB. Which means my children are entitled to transfer to higher-performing schools in predominantly white areas. NCLB also requires that transportation is provided to and from these schools.

You better believe we took the transfers as soon as possible and got my kids out of schools that are nothing more than incubators for the criminal element. The kids in our neighborhood schools are violent, racist, gang-banging, over-sexualized, drug using, drug taking, drug selling, know-it-all little ****s who would shoot you or knife you as soon as look at you.

I am GRATEFUL for NCLB. Without this program, my kids would be stuck in horrific schools, with kids who don't give a **** about learning and teachers and an adminstration who are scared ****less of the students and have no control whatsoever of the school.

The middle school has a full time COUNTY POLICE OFFICER and a drug-sniffing dog.

The high school has it's own mini-precinct, with a force of FOUR COUNTY OFFICERS, each with a drug sniffing German Shepherd.

My kids will be in 9th grade next year, and we're eligible to transfer to a high school whose district we can in NO way afford to live in. And HELL YES, we'll be taking that transfer to the top-notch high school, and the bus will pick my kids up at the front door of our house!!

THANK GOD for NCLB. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

[JenyEliza]

as a teacher here is what I have a problem with.
first, this was introduced by someone who has never been in the classroom.
they have aspects that can never ,ever be met. I guarantee you that by 2014 every single school district in the nation we not meet nclb.
problems:
unfortunately not all kids can make it, at least not by standardized test scores. Children who do not read well, will not test well. No matter how well they doin school. there is no test factor for hard work.
special ed, english language learners and mentally challeneged children all take and must pass the same test. It was not until recently that they added time for challenged kids. By the way ell students must take it in english, no matter how long they have been in english schools.
test improvement are judged against the previosu years class not the current students scores from the previous year. So this years 8th graders are tested against last years 8th graders not on improving their 7th grade scores. so in theory you could improve your kids test by 50% but if they are below the year before you have dropped down and do not pass.
so the question is what are we testing?
to pass each school district must have past every sub group. sub groups are minorities, economic groups and things like children with learning disabilities. so if a district has enough of each subgroup to qualify, they fail if that sub group does not pass. you could have 99% of your kids pass the test but fail as a district because of a sub group. last year our district passed 32 or 33 subgroups but did not meet because children with learning disbailities did not pass. there is no gray area.
I am at a high school. we use the act and act work keys for standardized tests. we are mandated as to how you can present these tests. your kids must take 2- 4+ hour tests on consecutive days. if we are testing what they know and not their stamina, why give them such grueling tests all at once? why not a section or two each day for a week?
next, you can not put any criteria for passing. you can not tie passing test to graduation. so the kids have no external reason for doing their best. they must pass both parts to pass the test. however with the first part being the ACT, the top kids can do well on that and blow off the 2nd. there is a sliding scale on it(the better you do on the ACT the lower the score on the work keys needed) but a few years ago we were a student or two from passing as a school. we had 5 kids score 30 or above on the ACT that did not pass overall. which is basically impossible.
ok, now here is the thing- the idea is good but as we approach the 2014 limit of 100% passing more and more schools will be teaching the test and test taking. next year, we have all juniors taking the ACT test course as part of the curriculum. I understand it, but it makes me cringe that we "have" to do this. I am sure similar things will happen at all levels of schooling.
as for your 1st grader. I think your teacher is right and not running a special ed room. your child does not need extra homework, they need to read for enjoyment. they do not need to think of learning as "work". first grade is about organization, social aspects and having fun exploring not about learning higher concepts. those will come. most boys do not start reading until the middle of 1st grade. each brain develops differently and school at that age should be that development not reciting facts.

Good post.

[Long Island Bob]

No Child Left Behind has been a Godsend for me and my children.

We live in predominantly minority area. The schools are ****. They didn't used to be and our area used to be predominantly white and our schools were top-notch. We've owned our house for 13 years. Things were good when we bought the house--they aren't now.

Our middle school and high school have *never* passed NCLB. Which means my children are entitled to transfer to higher-performing schools in predominantly white areas. NCLB also requires that transportation is provided to and from these schools.

You better believe we took the transfers as soon as possible and got my kids out of schools that are nothing more than incubators for the criminal element. The kids in our neighborhood schools are violent, racist, gang-banging, over-sexualized, drug using, drug taking, drug selling, know-it-all little ****s who would shoot you or knife you as soon as look at you.

I am GRATEFUL for NCLB. Without this program, my kids would be stuck in horrific schools, with kids who don't give a **** about learning and teachers and an adminstration who are scared ****less of the students and have no control whatsoever of the school.

The middle school has a full time COUNTY POLICE OFFICER and a drug-sniffing dog.

The high school has it's own mini-precinct, with a force of FOUR COUNTY OFFICERS, each with a drug sniffing German Shepherd.

My kids will be in 9th grade next year, and we're eligible to transfer to a high school whose district we can in NO way afford to live in. And HELL YES, we'll be taking that transfer to the top-notch high school, and the bus will pick my kids up at the front door of our house!!

THANK GOD for NCLB. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

wow.

very nice.

[democon]

I'm calling you out. My wife is a teacher, about to graduate with her Master's degree in Reading and already passed the licensure testing to be a Reading Specialist i.e. Title I teacher. I talk to her every single day and she is working with a school as part of one of her classes and guess what, the students are segregated in the classes by their performance levels. My sister-in-law teaches at the high school here and teaches a remedial math class. The school also has regular classes, honors classes, and even advanced placement (college level) classes.

Based on all of that, I have to conclude without a doubt that NCLB does not do what you state it does.

Anway, wikipedia is not a real authoritative source, but the problem at your school is probably limited funding since they have to spend so much money bringing the remedial students up to par, they don't have the money for the higher programs.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act

And I'm backing you up.

Apart from the OP's terrible grammar and use of rhetorical style which suggests that perhaps they are in need of some remedial classes, I myself worked within the NCLB and I can state, unequivocally, that it does indeed work.

I have two BAs and an MA and I have been both a teacher and a tutor for two years.

[democon]

No Child Left Behind has been a Godsend for me and my children.

We live in predominantly minority area. The schools are ****. They didn't used to be and our area used to be predominantly white and our schools were top-notch. We've owned our house for 13 years. Things were good when we bought the house--they aren't now.

Our middle school and high school have *never* passed NCLB. Which means my children are entitled to transfer to higher-performing schools in predominantly white areas. NCLB also requires that transportation is provided to and from these schools.

You better believe we took the transfers as soon as possible and got my kids out of schools that are nothing more than incubators for the criminal element. The kids in our neighborhood schools are violent, racist, gang-banging, over-sexualized, drug using, drug taking, drug selling, know-it-all little ****s who would shoot you or knife you as soon as look at you.

I am GRATEFUL for NCLB. Without this program, my kids would be stuck in horrific schools, with kids who don't give a **** about learning and teachers and an adminstration who are scared ****less of the students and have no control whatsoever of the school.

The middle school has a full time COUNTY POLICE OFFICER and a drug-sniffing dog.

The high school has it's own mini-precinct, with a force of FOUR COUNTY OFFICERS, each with a drug sniffing German Shepherd.

My kids will be in 9th grade next year, and we're eligible to transfer to a high school whose district we can in NO way afford to live in. And HELL YES, we'll be taking that transfer to the top-notch high school, and the bus will pick my kids up at the front door of our house!!

THANK GOD for NCLB. :clap: :clap: :clap: :clap:

Well, duh; they're non-white, as you clearly point out...

[RWReaganfan]

And I'm backing you up.

Apart from the OP's terrible grammar and use of rhetorical style which suggests that perhaps they are in need of some remedial classes, I myself worked within the NCLB and I can state, unequivocally, that it does indeed work.

I have two BAs and an MA and I have been both a teacher and a tutor for two years.

Can you say, "Still wet behind the ears?" Despite your education, you do not have the practical expereience required to make that judgement.

[democon]

Can you say, "Still wet behind the ears?" Despite your education, you do not have the practical expereience required to make that judgement.

And you do?

[democon]

Can you say, "Still wet behind the ears?" Despite your education, you do not have the practical expereience required to make that judgement.

Oh, I am dying to learn this; what is it, precisely, that makes me inexperienced and you, so much more so?

[democon]

While we're at it, please enumerate on all the great things Reagan did as president.

[democon]

While we're at it, please enumerate on all the great things Reagan did as president.

Oh God, please list taxation first...

[democon]

Can you say, "Still wet behind the ears?" Despite your education, you do not have the practical expereience required to make that judgement.

Waiting...

[RickRhetoric]

No child left behind and head start programs are basically baby-sitting services for welfare moms who warehouse their precious little blossoms while they shop at the mall on your dime.

[democon]

No child left behind and head start programs are basically baby-sitting services for welfare moms who warehouse their precious little blossoms while they shop at the mall on your dime.

Ah, so then you don't know anything about it.

[JenyEliza]

Well, duh; they're non-white, as you clearly point out...

Honey, me and my kids are as lily-white, Irish-American as they come. Anyone who's been on this site any length of time could confirm that for you if you don't believe me.

Don't know where you got your information, but you're clearly full of ****. :D

[clumsymap]

you are so right. NCLB is dumbing down education. Public schools will NOT improve until NCLB is GONE!

[democon]

Honey, me and my kids are as lily-white, Irish-American as they come. Anyone who's been on this site any length of time could confirm that for you if you don't believe me.

Don't know where you got your information, but you're clearly full of ****. :D

I was not referring to your kids.

And if by where I get my information, I worked directly for and within the NCLB.

[mawst95]

I recently helped organize a conference looking at the issue of how the National Science Foundation can support educational identification and development of high-achieving students. You can read about it here:

http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2009/08/25/02stem.h29.html?tkn=VXUCROo8sne/k8+GYpsg1Wmm0lwl7h/4jLwS

What's interesting is that minority students do as well as their white classmates early, say in 1st grade, but by 4-5 grade there's a large gap in achievement. If you're interested in this topic, take a look at the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's "Achievement Trap" report:

http://www.jkcf.org/assets/files/0000/0084/Achievement_Trap.pdf

If you're interested in how much the achievement gap costs our country, take a look here: http://www.edequality.com/content/pages/mckinseyreport/

There are definitely federal agencies concerned about the one-size-fits all model of education that isn't serving stronger, motivated students.