Our fine schools at work....

[disneymom3]

I agree with many posters in that no teacher I know likes the NCLB. And four of those teachers are my sisters! It is just totally unrealistic to expect 100% of children to be performing at that preset level. There are children who through no fault of their own or their parents or their teachers, will never be able to pass those standards.

And yes, the biggest problem, even worse than the unreasonable standards, are that the brightest kids are left standing on the side lines. They have to spend all of this time bringing kids up to the standards so that all of those already above the standard, are just stagnating. That is one of my biggest problems with public schools. When the tax cuts hit schools hard around here, the VERY first cut they made was to the challenge program. They have passed two new referendums since then, but have they reinstated the gifted program? Nope!

You might think that volunteer hours and free after school programs are going to make a difference, and ofr some kids they are a great opportunity. But what about the kids who can't wait to get out the door after school? Are they going to voluntarily stay an extra hour??

 

[Toby'sFriend]

I don't think that the students are deprived of learning opportunities because so much time is spent on "teaching to the test", another widely held misconception (IMO).

But surely you understand that what is happening at the school in your town cannot be automatically assumed to be happening nationwide?

Our PS cut Art, Music, Physical Education, and G&T at all Elementary schools (K through 4th Grade) this year. They also cut the after school Sports and Club programs at the 5th and 6th Grade level. This is what they did with the money.

suggestions include hiring three full-time teachers, two part-time consultants, two additional after-school tutors and a full-time assessment clerk.
Also, the district will be reinstating a 10 percent cut previously made from the curriculum budget last year. About $50,000 will be added into the budget for materials and supplies.
All of the additional resources will be directed at high school level students, where 2003 standardized test scores fell in every level tested,

In short, they cut funding and programs from the lower grades, who are not failing their tests -- and gave the money to the High School because their scores have fallen for 2 straight years.

As I posted before NCLB only sets standards for Reading and Math. Science will be added in 2008. The State of Illinois passed legislation this year that removed testing for all subject matter not covered by NCLB from the State Standardized test. In short, there is no longer any benefit for schools to teach other subject matter and I would be shocked if a school listed as "Academic Warning" made anymore than a passing attempt of even attempting it.

I'm certainly not going to say that every Public school is like this or even that OUR Public school is not for everybody. My children attended PS for years and I myself am a product of Public Schools. I would dearly love to not be paying Private School tuition because it is a struggle. I can only make the decision for my children. As long as I am the decision maker, they will be attending a school where Social Studies, History, Geography, Music, Art, and the ability to write an Essay are considered just as important as the ability to answer Multiple choice questions concerning Reading and Math skills.

JMHO

 

[RitaZ.]

Toby's friend~ I did explain in one of my posts how it's done in OUR schools, and that I couldn't speak for any others. I'm not assuming that this is how it's in every part of the country.

As long as I am the decision maker, they will be attending a school where Social Studies, History, Geography, Music, Art, and the ability to write an Essay are considered just as important as the ability to answer Multiple choice questions concerning Reading and Math skills.

My kids are learning all that in public school and none of those classes has been eliminated from their curriculum. All public schools aren't crap.


Education is a joint partnership between schools and parents, I know that all parents aren't as involved for a variety of reasons. If a child qualifies for free after school tutoring, it's really up the parent to make sure that the child attends, especially in elementary school and middle school. My point is that the teachers and the schools are REALLY working hard to help the students. The opportunities are there for those that need and want to take advantage of them.

They have to spend all of this time bringing kids up to the standards so that all of those already above the standard, are just stagnating.

I'm sorry, but I'm not seeing that in my children's schools. The teachers break up the class into small reading groups according to reading level and ability, each group gets equal time with the teacher. The "slow learners" get individualized help from the teachers and also volunteers. In Middle School, the students that don't score above a certain percentile (I think it's 50th percentile, in order to pass they have to score at least in the 25% percentile), get placed in a special reading class according to reading level. Those students that need "extra help" lose an elective in order to work on their weaknesses/deficiencies. The gifted and "regular" students aren't stagnating during that time.

Tar Heel~ Read my previous post, we actually share the same concern. The one aspect of the standards that I disagree with, which I stated in one of my previous posts, is regarding ESE students and ESL students. Even though my children don't fall into those categories, I really do care because I realize how unjust and unrealistic those standards are. As I said previously, it's an unattainable goal. Again, changes in those areas are definitely needed and IMO will HAVE to be implemented.

I don't think that the NCLB act is going to "fix" all the academic problems that public schools are facing. Hey, maybe I'm monumentally naive, but I really do believe it's a STEP in the right direction. Again, I'm just sharing my opinion based on what I have seen and experienced.

 

[Deb & Bill]

Heck, we all have Spell Check now. Who needs to know how to spell? Except when you can't choose the correct word off the Spell Check list.