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1. In fact, NCLB does force the teachers to teach to test; consequently it squeezes the joy out of teaching for both teacher and student.
2. It narrows the curriculum to math and reading because those are the areas tested. The arts, human development, physical education, community service, environmental education, field trips and other electives are given short shrift, at best.
3. Several teachers I have spoken with even say they are so depressed by the pressure and narrowness of the test that they are about to quit the field. In reality, I have yet to talk to one classroom teacher who has had anything positive to say about NCLB.
4. I will say quite boldly what one of the two principals only alluded to, namely, that public schools-particularly inner-city schools-are hugely underfunded. Overcrowded classes filled with non-English-speaking students, bereft of books and supplies, need dramatic increases in funds. In Los Angeles, for example, the per-pupil spending is $7,000-$8,000 per year; by contrast, quality private schools-which offer what public schools should but cannot provide-spend more than $25,000 per pupil. Unlimited billions for Iraq, but not enough for our children. But that is a rant from previous blogs-a rant I will no doubt continue to hurl into the tax-cuts void.
5. The real problem is that students are disengaged from their education, and disengaged students ultimately drop out, as more than 50 percent do in large urban and poor rural schools. The antidote to dropouts is a rich and diverse curriculum offered under improved teaching conditions.
6. If we really wanted to see that no child was left behind we would cut class sizes by half in inner-city schools, which would require hiring 100 percent more teachers in those schools, and we would obtain top-quality additional teachers by providing a pay increase of $25,000 a year across the board. If prison guards can make $75,000 to $100,000 a year, why can't teachers? These changes would, of course, demand increased revenue that would, alas, require everyone-including wealthy individuals and corporations-to pay their fair share of taxes. Good luck!
more . . .
http://www.truthout.org/docs_2006/013107F.shtml