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School Teachers Pointedly Slam NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND in Discussions with Parents...
10.21.04 | mlmr

Posted on 10/21/2004 6:17:28 PM PDT by mlmr

I have had to place some of my children in the local government schools. I am keeping the school on a fairly short leash and spend more than the usual amount of time talking to school employees.

Every school employee except for the busdriver has, each time we have spoken togher, has put in a POINTED slam of the No Child Left Behind program. All of them. All the time. One employee told me that I had to provide a reason and a note when the child is missing for a day...becasue No Child Left Behind requires it. Althoug friends in other districts deny thier schools requiring any such thing. And I certainly know that this is a FEDERAL mandate since the speakers all refer to this issue.

Is this a NEA or state union push. It is very effective for on a one to one basis with all parents during the teacher meetings this year, which are mostly held before the elections, parents are being told that the present administration is screwing up their child.

Any other government school parents experiencing this???


TOPICS: Your Opinion/Questions
KEYWORDS: homeschooling; nclb; nea; nochildleftbehind
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To: kiki04

Thanks. Me too. Two in government elementaries, one homeschooled with friends and one in private.


141 posted on 10/21/2004 7:27:38 PM PDT by mlmr (The End is Near.)
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To: NittanyLion

I can agree that increases decentralization of the education system is theoretically a good thing but many, many school systems are not responsible enough to manage themselves or even be accountable to parents.

NCLB was the first step toward educational accountability and unfortunately the only way I believe it could have been passed was in this form. Hopefully later down the road, the accountability can be given back to the state or local level, if they deserve it. Remember, most liberals run schools and do not think in market terms that assist decentralization of power to work.


142 posted on 10/21/2004 7:28:01 PM PDT by morkfork (Candygram for Mongo)
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To: bannie

"SUMMATION: silk purse...sow's ear."

????


143 posted on 10/21/2004 7:28:36 PM PDT by tobyhill (The war on terrorism is not for the weak!)
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To: kiki04
If your child ends up with a mediocre teacher, it is your job to take up the slack. No profession has 100% perfect professionals. Know what the child should be learning, and make it your job to fill in the gaps. It's your kid: You're his/her last line of defense.
144 posted on 10/21/2004 7:29:17 PM PDT by bannie (Jamma Nana!)
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To: morkfork

Run for the school board.


145 posted on 10/21/2004 7:30:33 PM PDT by bannie (Jamma Nana!)
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To: morkfork
Only that the teacher is certified and/or licensed by the state to teach that subject. Biology teachers in NC can teach physics if they have a general science license.

I don't think they license teachers that way here (KY). My understanding is that teachers are getting education degrees, and though they MUST have a certain emphasis, their license is still only K-5, 6-8, etc. with no mention of their emphasis. I may very well be wrong!

My emphasis is in English (elementary). No one has ever mentioned that "English" has anything to do with my license.

146 posted on 10/21/2004 7:31:25 PM PDT by Dianna
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To: Sweet Hour of Prayer

The point that your brother should understand is that TED KENNEDY wrote the bill.


147 posted on 10/21/2004 7:34:27 PM PDT by Moby Grape
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To: morkfork
I can agree that increases decentralization of the education system is theoretically a good thing but many, many school systems are not responsible enough to manage themselves or even be accountable to parents.

I hear you, but in my opinion it just isn't the role of the federal government to make that judgment. Nor do I believe its involvement is likely to increase that accountability.

I think it's necessarily a messy business. Some districts will thrive under great leadership while others will fail. It's unfortunate, but that's just the nature of things. Nothing the federal government does can change that inherent characteristic - we're a country of 275 million people.

NCLB was the first step toward educational accountability and unfortunately the only way I believe it could have been passed was in this form. Hopefully later down the road, the accountability can be given back to the state or local level, if they deserve it. Remember, most liberals run schools and do not think in market terms that assist decentralization of power to work.

Given the federal government's track record, I think it's unlikely that this program will do anything other than amass more power at the federal level. How many other federal initiatives have been turned over to states or municipalities?

148 posted on 10/21/2004 7:36:03 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: bannie

That's why I will be homeschooling


149 posted on 10/21/2004 7:36:24 PM PDT by kiki04 ("If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is a man who has so much as to be out of danger?" - THH)
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To: mlmr

Yes, I agree, I think we should just cut ALL!!! of the funding for "No Child Left Behind" for one whole year just to see these same whiners complain about how we actually need to have the program.


150 posted on 10/21/2004 7:38:44 PM PDT by R_Kangel
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To: kiki04

We live, and I teach, in a rural Pennsylvania high school.
It is in a economically depressed area.
Last year I attended a function during a school day that was designed to encourage elementary students to read.
There was a surfeit of free food and beverages. All students got free books. There have been many such events since NCLB was instituted.
Our district did not pay for this largesse, believe me.
I guess the money just fell out of the sky, eh Democrats?
Unfunded mandates, my a**.


151 posted on 10/21/2004 7:44:00 PM PDT by macrahanish #1
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To: mlmr

One thing Pres. Reagan didn't accomplish that I looked forward to: getting rid of the Federal Dept. of Education.
All schools should be run on a local basis, with local
accountability. Parents should be able to send their children to the schools best for their children. Competition is the answer to higher standards.


152 posted on 10/21/2004 7:45:48 PM PDT by Paperdoll ( on the cutting edge. Now Rep. women, get out the vote!)
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To: NittanyLion
It forces a disproportionate amount of funding into failing schools - remember that money generally comes from people in "successful" districts, since wealth and school performance are correlated.

A couple of years ago, I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly. However, I have recently seen instances of lower income areas with great (better than my children's schools) test scores. I don't know what the teachers are doing there, but it's working. People KNOW how to do this the "right" way. Why everyone isn't flocking to these schools to learn their practices is beyond me.

153 posted on 10/21/2004 7:48:22 PM PDT by Dianna
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To: kiki04

Congratulations. It's great to have one who loves her most taking on the most essential task.

I hope that your own education is varied and complete. I also hope that you are able to purchase an excellent program.


154 posted on 10/21/2004 7:48:33 PM PDT by bannie (Jamma Nana!)
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To: mlmr
When I walk into a school and tell them that my daughter had appointments or that I need to remove her from school an hour early...I dont expect to be told that I have to write a note asking permission or telling them additonal details

This is my beef. I need to give them a note with an "approved" reason for an absence? Screw that.

Sad thing is now my son knows that I lied.

155 posted on 10/21/2004 7:52:42 PM PDT by VeniVidiVici (Got Wood?)
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To: Dianna
People KNOW how to do this the "right" way. Why everyone isn't flocking to these schools to learn their practices is beyond me.

It's a good question. If I had to guess, it's because there's no real repercussion for subpar performance. In the private sector companies go out of business; not so in education.

I also think it's easy to make excuses about the fact that public schools can't control their input; they have to take whatever kids walk in the door.

156 posted on 10/21/2004 7:55:46 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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To: bannie

I have a Masters in Education and am fairly well traveled. Husband has a PhD in Engineering. I have been looking at a few HS programs already. I just hope we are able to be prepared.


157 posted on 10/21/2004 7:57:49 PM PDT by kiki04 ("If a little knowledge is dangerous, where is a man who has so much as to be out of danger?" - THH)
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To: NittanyLion

I don't object to seeing a student who doesn't speak English being FORCED to LEARN it.

More funding by the federal government really doesn't matter.

Ideally I'l like to see ALL public schools abolished and appropriate tax relief available to all and have the parents of kids in school chose what school they wanted for their children - private, religious - whatever.


158 posted on 10/21/2004 8:01:54 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: Dianna

I believe that is true of New Jersey. Maybe someone else could comment on that. It seems to vary by state.


159 posted on 10/21/2004 8:03:05 PM PDT by nmh (Intelligent people recognize Intelligent Design (God).)
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To: nmh
I don't object to seeing a student who doesn't speak English being FORCED to LEARN it.

Nor do I. But what's accomplished by testing a kid who just walked in the door and doesn't speak any English?

More funding by the federal government really doesn't matter.

Well, it matters to me. Federal programs always have negative consequences. Hence the reason conservatives favor a local approach over a centralized one.

160 posted on 10/21/2004 8:06:22 PM PDT by NittanyLion
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