So in a nutshell "No Child Left Behind" basically is leaving everyone bein

[LynneSin]

everone behind except 3rd graders

:eyes:

http://www.nytimes.com/2005/07/14/education/14cnd-educ.html

Younger Students Show Gains in Math and Reading

WASHINGTON, July 14 - America's elementary school students made solid gains in both reading and math in the first years of this decade, while middle school students made less progress and older teenagers hardly any, according to test results issued today that are considered the best measure of the nation's long-term education trends.

Nine-year-old minority students made the most gains on the test, administered by the United States Department of Education. In particular, young black students significantly narrowed the historic gap between their math and reading scores and those of higher-achieving whites, who also made significant gains.

Older minority teenagers, however, scored about as far behind whites as in previous decades, and scores for all groups pointed to a deepening crisis in the nation's high schools.

The math and reading test, known as the National Assessment of Educational Progress, Long Term Trends, has been given to a representative national sample of 9-, 13- and 17-year-old students every few years since the early 1970's, virtually without modification, and social scientists study it carefully. The results announced today were from a test given to 28,000 public and private school students in all 50 states during fall 2003 and spring 2004. The test had not been administered since 1999

**************************

Young kids are so impressable and much easier to prepare for these tests, but it's not the same thing when dealing with older kids who are dealing with stronger peer pressures as they face the reality that they'll soon be adults.

This plan of Bush is a nightmare. Sure, on paper there are some great ideas but without funding we might as well teach our children using sanskrit!

Please someone either step in and fund this program so it feasible can make a difference for older kids or elimate it. This article title is so misleading by the NYtimes because it makes you think that the programs are working - but they aren't for where it counts the most - older children who are soon ready to graduate!

[The Revolution]

1. Maybe its meant to be relative

If no one is learning anything or improving, then really nobody can be left behind.

[madeline_con]

2. The idea of getting the younger kids...

is that it builds a foundation. If a child can't read, he can't really learn much of anything presented in a book.

As for older kids, they've had years of whatever dynamic; parenting or lack thereof, and other factors that have contributed to their failure. They won't be turned around to become PhD material between their high school freshamn and senior years.

I'm not supporting or condemning the program. I've seen good and bad in it. I'm just explaining the POV of all kids reading by grade 3. :)

[dbonds]

3. Close, It is you leave no child behind because no one goes anywhere.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. We call it

Leave No Child A Dime.

[madmom]

4. it's called the dumbing down of America...n/t

[havocmom]

5. And don't forget 'turn contact info for each kid over to recruiters'

unless their parents are really up on the fine print and pro-actively sign the forms to opt out and keep their kids contact info out of military hands

[ulysses]

6. NCLB is a crock of shit.

Simply that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

10. Tell us what you really think

LOL

And you know I agree. I can't wait till ALL kids have to be proficient, even those with severe disabilities. The NAEP that bush was bragging about today doesn't test kids with disabilities or ESL kids. I am eagerly awaiting his plan for teaching that nonverbal kid with an IQ of 20 to read on grade level.
:rofl:

[ulysses]

12. won't that be fun?

Forget the LD kids. I've changed diapers on adolescents 14-15 years old. I know you've had the same experience. How long until we're expected to teach them the idea that a variable represents "some number"?

:dunce:

[proud2BlibKansan]

15. And if they drool on the test?

My friend said this whole idea of testing kids with severe impairments is like making adults take an exam in quantum physics every year.
:dunce:

[Tommymac]

16. But it does...

My wife works with Autistic students....and they have to pass the tests too - they are judged by their age not their level - or the school loses funds.

She is livid...

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. I know

Ulysses and I are both special ed teachers.

This is the worst part of this law. Let's hope they see the light and repeal at least this 'all will be proficient' part before it becomes a reality.

And bush bragging about the scores on the NAEP is comical - that test doesn't include kids with disabilities or kids who aren't fluent in English. Once those groups are part of the tested groups, no way will we be able to show that 100% are proficient.

[Tommymac]

20. I salute you both!

I know how challenging, frustrating, and physically demanding ... and rewarding, it can be through my wife.

:patriot:

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. Thanks Tommy!

Send your wife over to the education forum at DU. It's pretty informative.

:hi:

[Carla in Ca]

11. I have heard a few depressing stories about it

Administrators are begging teachers to give passing grades to failing kids so they will continue to be funded. That is a disaster.

[ulysses]

13. NCLB is an unmitigated disaster. n/t

[Carla in Ca]

18. Yeah, just like his abstinence program.

Jeez, wake me when this nightmare is over:hide:

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. ONE test

taken on ONE day indicates nothing. All we now know is that last year, 9 year olds filled in the right bubbles and 17 year olds filled in the wrong bubbles. Does that mean the 9 year olds actually knew the content and the 17 year olds didn't? Your guess is as good as mine.

My school was 'chosen' to give the NAEP this year. It is a joke. The test was administered by temps hired to come in to the school and give it, no kids with disabilities or ESL were tested AND it was all multiple choice.

Another important point is that the NAEP has been administered for years now but this is the first time I can ever remember anyone making a big deal out of the results. bush is riding this horse and thinking it is taking him somewhere, but it's really not. He is such a fool.

[iconoclastic cat]

9. NLCB is meant to slime public education.

Whether or not Bushco can fulfill the Waltons' dream of destroying public education, only time will tell. The law, however, is meant to make it as unappealing an option as possible when compared to private schools.

IMO.

To read more, go to my friend Susan Ohanian's site.

[greenbriar]

14. yup you got it...

If you truly want to gage performance and learning, do a longitudinal study and NOT test different kids each year and judge teachers


Each year brings a new set of kids with a new set of problems and issues and brains.

[indigo32]

17. I found this a very informative article on the failures

of the No Child Left Behind policy

"The No Child Left Behind law makes ambitious promises to hold all schools accountable for student achievement and to raise all children to their grade levels in reading and math. But the law's loopholes allow hundreds of schools and more than 82,000 struggling Minnesota students to slip through untouched, a Star Tribune analysis has found.

In all, nearly 10 percent of Minnesota's students last year -- and 83 percent of all the students who scored poorly on state tests -- were overlooked by the law.

The law is beginning its fourth year. But even when it is fully implemented in 2014, more than half of Minnesota's students could fail and still receive scant attention from No Child Left Behind."


http://www.startribune.com/stories/1592/5285180.html

[proud2BlibKansan]

22. Wow that is a great article

Those are the exact talking points many of us in education have been pushing for several years now.

Thanks so much for posting that article.