[sweetliberty]

But I thought more money was supposed to FIX this problem! I guess they didn't get enough. < /sarcasm >

I'd be interested to know the percentage of failing kids who are being medicated.

[sweetliberty]

Arkansas ping.

Battman, do you have access to a list of these school or know where to find one?

[Founding Father]

The sad thing is the kids will now be taught nothing but the answers to the next test. Got to get that federal money.

[oyez]

To improve scores, just get the government out of the process of educating people and turning it over to the private sector.

[SoFloFreeper]

The Clinton Legacy.

[dhuffman@awod.com]

Money can't fix too high expectations. But we can change the standards - in search of an egalitarian society.

I remember when standards were high and the objective. Now let Darwin do his worst.

[SoftballMominVA]

If you look at the data in the spread sheet, the schools in Arkansas are having significant problems with two sectors--African Americans in math and literacy and Economically Disadvantaged in math and literacy. Part of the problem is that a kid can count for two or more categories. They seem to be doing okay in the learning disabilities areas for all groups, not great, but o-kay, so based on that this problem is not the special education departments failing.

Almost every single school has very high pass rates for Caucasian literacy and math and even the Hispanic population and LEP do just about as well (Are there a lot of Hispanics in AR? If not, that stat could look better than it is if there are not enough to count) The glaring stand out problems are blacks and poor kids.

Here is the problem we face in our school and I'm sure we are not unique. NCLB says we have to offer extra tutoring and assistance outside the school hours for kids in failing categories. Our school does--and we offer transportation door to door. But, the kids refuse to stay and the parents refuse to make them stay. The teachers try to make the time fun with refreshments, a short break, a reward day once a month, tons of one-on-one time (the ratio is about 2.5 kids to 1 teacher). We offer before school and after school---the kids have their choice. There are even Saturday sessions. The teachers that do the program are paid quite well by the hour and all are there because they want to be. In short, on paper the program looks inviting and rewarding. The problem? The kids won't come.

So now, schools are over a barrel. The horse won't even come to the water, much less drink it. There is simply no way teachers at a school teaching math and reading can compete with the TV, video games, playing on a computer or shooting hoops. We can't do it. So when these kids fail the SOL's again, we will be back to the drawing board of how to get them to come. The next step is to do the extra tutoring during their elective time, but no one is keen for that either. What would you rather do if you are failing math already? Do more math or art?

It's a catch-22 and damned if I have an answer for it. When the kids fail the tests, it hurts the schools right away, but it doesn't hurt the kids until they are juniors in high school. Then in VA, these become barrier tests to graduation. But, try telling that to a 6th or 7th grader. 11th grade is too far away.

But back to this situation in AR, good luck to them. This is not a matter of teaching to the test, it is probably a matter of teaching them to do math and to read when their culture tells them that both are unimportant, there are no books in the home, the TV and radio are never off, and their gods are Tupac and P. Diddy.

[golfisnr1]

When Bubba was Governor he appointed Hillary to make recommendations for improvement to the schools. When she closed many small schools, created large schoold districts by consolidating them. She then doubled the money for education. Result! Not any better - just and example that she is a social engineer resulting in chaos.

[TheBattman]

A couple of thoughts on the subject from someone "in the trenches"..

Yes, the schools are failing horribly, even with the added requirments. But part of the problem is that it is difficult to hit a "moving target" which is what the test score requirements amount to.

Also, at least where I am, the teachers are being run through the wringer to do curriculum planning, remediation, and all sorts of other things to supposedly boost student performance.

But to what goal? The "No Child Left Behind" act that sets an unachieveable goal? Actually the goal is achievable - just lower the standards to a point that every child CAN be "on grade level"....

A simply look at our own classes growing up (or for those of us who are in the trenches - look around) - there have always been those who will never learn and know everything that others will - regardless of how much help/remediation/love/feel-good treatments/medication/etc. you give them. This comes both from those who just do not have the same mental function as others, but also those who just don't care - and never will (including those who are the criminals who we must keep in schools and have no options to deal with the serious disipline problems they present).

The problems with education go SO far past anything that is being addressed with NCLB - yet it has been touted as the cure-all. No - it is the way to frustrate teachers who are really trying, and to spend more tax dollars.

Here is an honest opinion - the few good teachers are being run off.

[A CA Guy]

We've known of their problems for over a year.