argh

[learnteach]

 

"Tomorrow is the 6th anniversary of the day that I signed the No Child Left Behind Act into law. And since that day we've come a long way, fewer students are falling behind. People are beginning to get used to the notion that there's accountability in the public school system. Look, I recognize some people don't like accountability. In other words, accountability says if you're failing, we're going to expose that and expect you to change. Accountability also says that when you're succeeding you'll get plenty of praise. "

President George W. Bush
January 7, 2008


I can't even begin to respond to this.  Well, I can begin, but it's not very reasoned.  3 points:  The administration load of the program, and the continual testing (4 times a year by the school) suck up any advantage.  Secondly, the metric (the test) is incredibly poor.   Testing of this sort doesn't really work.   Finally, the amount of funds pledged versus the amount of changes and work, and the codicil requirements which require many extra resources to pull up the low performing students, mean that we're taking all the programs that reward intelligence and achievement to try and enact basic social programs in schools.  

Comments

[ladybrid.livejournal.com]

The GATE program at my kids school is a joke. Because none of the kids in it are allowed to do anything on school time that will remove them from the other kids in class, because that would Leave those Kids Behind... sigh
So they get labeled GATE, and they may get a Summer program opportunity, but there is nothing during the school year.
Principal lectured all the parents who raised their hands that they'd be fine with their kids being pulled from the class for GATE activities, on how we'd be negatively impacting the less advanced students. Oh um, maybe the teacher could then give those kids some more remedial attention? nah, their brains apparently don't work as well if the brighter kids aren't there.

http://instruct.westvalley.edu/lafave/hb.html

[ladybrid.livejournal.com]

good to know GATE is worth the label somewhere!
all day as in the GATE kids are put in a class track by themselves? or have a day or 2 a week where they are focused on? interesting.
at our school, they haven't even decided what will be done for the GATE kids this year... it's still in the planning stages.

[martianfencer.livejournal.com]

I was about to say that NCLB reminds me of Harrison Bergeron! I'm glad I checked your link before chiming in.