I am currently taking a class on Multiculturalism in American Schools, which is a class to study the history of teaching and the diversity in a classroom setting. Likewise, we talk about different laws that are passed and how they will impact our future as educators. One of the most important is the No Child Left Behind Act, which is a huge topic in many educational settings and in the surrounding communities. This act says that students should all be proficient in math and reading by a certain year. They also punish school districts that have yet to meet this goal. Although it is important for the state to keep up on the progress of education, this has a flip side with many non-beneficial aspects.
As a future educator, I must be prepared to be faced with these acts. The government is always becoming involved with education and trying to improve it. We must work with what is given to us, even if an act like this one is in place that we feel is not serving the purpose. A teacher cannot do much on their own because an act like this is in place for everyone to follow. One must just try to work through it and make the best of a non-beneficial situation.
We all know that no two students are the same. In addition, not all students have the same learning abilities. Keeping this in mind, it is ridiculous to think that all students will be able to reach proficient in basic skills. Let's get back to reality...this is not a dream world. However, it is important for the state to take into account the amount of progress that students make. While they are not all perfect, all students do have the ability to progress forward. As educators, we should be rewarding for progress in the right direction.
Punishment is not the correct way to handle these situations. Teachers are getting blamed when the students do not reach the AYP that year. However, we are all aware that some students refuse to try on tests that "don't effect their grade." This can also be easily changed. We can put more emphasis on requiring a certain score for graduation or a reward. Students will do much better if they are forced to do it correctly. Likewise, teachers can only prepare the students so much. They cannot force them to do well and try, so the responsibility of the scores should never be held to one individual, the educator.
Schools that do poorly also get get funding from the state. How does this make sense? The schools that need the money to make better programs to further understanding are the ones that do not get money to do so. Likewise, schools that are already meeting the requirements are getting more money that they obviously do not need. The state needs to take this into consideration if they want improvement as fast as they are expecting it.
After discussing this educational issue with the entire class and the professor, I think it is very clear that changes need to be made to this act. Likewise, the state is expecting to much from children with disabilities to reach proficient. It would be nice if they could, but they need to be more considerate and focus on the more important aspect...progress. Teachers get held to a lot of standards with this issue, and they should be held to some. However, all of the blame should not be put on an educator.
What are your feelings on NCLB? Do you see it as successful? What suggestions would you make to the government?
Good post. I think NCLB although well intended is dully misplaced. First of all the act was not properly funded. As you pointed out, poor performing schools don't get the funds necessary to promote programs to promote student success. However, we are several years into this. I believe it ends next year is not re-approved. Nevertheless, I have seen a shift in schools from a closed door to more collaboration in PLC's, common assessments, and common planning. This came out of the pressures of NCLB. This is good. To make a diamond you need a lot of pressure in the RIGHT places.
ReplyDeleteI agree. If the pressure is in the right places, things can be more beneficial for the students and the faculty. However, it can also vary so much between districts. Some schools have had better success with this act, while my hometown is really struggling. After witnessing it and being apart of it, I think there are better ways to make these changes more helpful. Changes have been made over the years, but I personally think a fresh start is the only way to see a huge difference be made.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that punishment is not the answer. Maybe it is the teachers and maybe it's not. I'm sure each situation is different. However, keeping money from the school districts just seems like the state is punishing the children by keeping resources from the that they need. This would make it harder for them to become better educated. However, some people have graduated high school not knowing basic English and math skills. This is not acceptable. In my son's school, the teachers cannot fail a child or hold them back without the consent of the parent and the parents cannot hold their own child back unless the school administration and teachers agree to it. Most of the time, the administration is usually very against it.
ReplyDeleteIn my class child development when just talked about this and I just posted about it. I don't really understand the whole thing. The NCLB is no help to public schools and students. It's exactly brainwashing students and teachers. A lot of schools lose their funding because of NCLB. Money plays a big part in this. I don't know why when children come to school to get a education. A lot of things that are required for NCLB students cannot remember. I saw this from my own two eyes. NLCB is failing students and leaving them with no hope.
ReplyDeleteI can see where you got this opinion. I try to keep an open mind about it and hope that it is not hurting all students. However, what I see does side with your arguement. I think that it is important to always try to find the positive side on these issues. You have made valid points, and hopefully our government does not put education at risk again by putting another act like this in place.
ReplyDeleteI went to a middle school that pushed this no child left behind act junk on me making me retake the same test over and over till i passed which just made me feel ashamed and dumb. i know this is not the purpose but in some cases like that this act isnt doing anything but forcing schools to push students through rather than help them at the childs pace of learning.
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