Is the "No Child Left Behind" Policy hurting our best and brightest?

http://www.kywnewsradio.com ^

[SouthernBoyupNorth]

There's a growing movement in the US that says the educational concept of "No Child Left Behind" is putting an emphasis on basic skills even as it leaves super-achieving kids behind. Bob Davidson is a dot-com millionaire who has co-written a book with his wife Jan titled, "Genius Denied."

[moog]

Unfortunately, the comment was not meant in the manner in which you work in your classroom.

Too bad. I wasn't sure how it was used.

[moog]

As it should be

As it already is--my parents already knew that as do my brothers and sisters who have kids as did my aunts and uncles and their kids who have kids as did my grandparents and their parents and their parents.

[kittymyrib]

I agree...separation of school and state is the only way to have an educated populace.

[Uncle Vlad]

My nine-year-old nephew is scary smart. He read "The Lord of the Rings" when he was eight. He's bored to tears in school. He finished all his work early, goes back to his teacher, and asks for more.

When my sister-in-law (his mom) asked about a gifted child program at the last parent-teacher conference, the principal told her flatly they don't offer one. (This, mind you, is the Omaha Public Schools, which has an annual budget of nearly $8,000 per pupil.) The principal's response was basically, "Well, just be glad you have a gifted child."

I think his response speaks for itself.

[Eepsy]

Have you looked at your community college? Many have programs that allow High School students to enroll in a two year Assoc. degree program in lieu of High School.

[moog]

The public schools stunk before NCLB and they still stink now. Even the better ones in affluent suburbs are poor quality schools when compared to their counterparts in Europe or Japan. I know. Those people in Europe sure are more conservative than we are. When I was in Korea, the "lower" ones got pushed by the wayside, as I've heard that is the case in many countries. In Japan, part of it is the attitude and perception too. I know it was that way in Korea. People (parents) didn't go around promoting disrespect for others, though that is DEFINITELY changing.

Yes, my school stinks. That misty air in the morning packs a punch sometimes.

[moog]

mixed abilities classrooms usually with at least one mentally retarded or otherwise comprimised child and its trainer

I have a Down's syndrome man come help in my classroom. He has a lot better attitude about life than many "educated" people I know. He has taught me and my class a lot already.

[Dianna]

bookmarking

[moog]

I was flabbergasted to learn that there are a lot of children who have one teacher or aide, exclusively for them. In one case at my grandson's school the child has a registered nurse. He is blind, can't talk and in a wheelchair and incontinent.

Most of the time that is reserved for those with extreme problems--handicaps, behavior, or the like. Such is to comply with ADA.

[moog]

The push for this comes from the bureaucrats in the federal dept of education.

True. The state bureaucrats control things here.

[moog]

Many have programs that allow High School students to enroll in a two year Assoc. degree program in lieu of High School.

That is something that is happening more and more. More and more students around here are taking advantage of it and AP tests. I think it's a pretty good thing.

[moog]

nope, the pubic school came in first."

Wonder what the pubic school taught?:)

[moog]

I totally support vouchers and not just to help bright kids - also to help ordinary kids and to disempower the teacher's unions who have a death grip on public education.

Good thing for the private sector to take up, not big government. I want MY choice too--the choice to even have a child. Furthermore, I should have the choice to complain about/for my child. Maybe I should lobby the government so they can pay for my personal choice too. Maybe my neighbors will help out.

[moog]

Accurate statements. A lot of those "trade" jobs require having a LOT of different skills. The parent of one of my former students works with stone. He had to take a pretty hard license test which included a ton of science and math. This brings up another issue. We should appreciate those who construct our homes, serve our food, take our garbage, and so on. Without "those" people, we wouldn't have some our conveniences we have today. I appreciate anyone of any field who shows integrity, puts forth a good effort on the job, does his/her best, and so on. Sometimes "educated" people could learn a lot from "those" people, though I have seen many who are good people too.

I have learned a lot from some bus drivers, store clerks, construction workers, and such over the years. I'm not saying most are that way, but you can find good individuals if you look hard enough. I try to make an effort to thank them and compliment them when it is deserved. That is too lacking nowadays.

[Puddleglum]

An unbelievable about of funding is spent trying to educate the bottom 20% of our population. I think we would be better off throwing the big bucks at the top 10% of our kids and getting the slower learners into trade schools and what not where they can learn how to do the jobs that Americans won't do.

I agress, but here in Texas an unbelievable amount of money is also being spent on English Second Language education. And yet here even the Pubbie state legislators love, LOVE big education. I feel like Boss Hawg runs the Republican party here.

[moog]

Today we form a pattern of summers off .... Summers off made sense 50 - maybe more - years ago, when kids needed to work at home in the summer. It still makes sense in some farming communities. But, there aren't too many inner city schoolchildren that are working on a farm pitching haybales or chopping up wood for the winter.

We're in year-round schools here. We start school in JULY.

[DugwayDuke]

"The answer: The tests are created by Teachers Unions which want the tests to be an abomination,..."

While I agree that the tests are created by the Teachers Union, I belive they created a test they could teach too rather than being an abomination.

[moog]

I agress, but here in Texas an unbelievable amount of money is also being spent on English Second Language education.

I agress too. In Texas, as well as other similar places, I can see that.

[moog]

He is bored to death in the sorry excuse that passes for Public school in this sorry state.

People must apologize a lot where you live.

[Chickensoup]

I have a Down's syndrome man come help in my classroom. He has a lot better attitude about life than many "educated" people I know. He has taught me and my class a lot already.


I think that rubbing elbows with the mentally retarded is nice, like going to a museum. But having one's class disrupted or slowed down by mentally retarded or emotionally broken children is inexcusable.