Posted on 02/10/2007 4:11:56 PM PST by NormsRevenge
Tori Boyles, right, wheels herself to class Oct. 3, 2006, at Mill Creek Elementary school in Columbia, Mo. When Boyles takes a test at school, an adult often reads the questions to her because the nine-year-old, who has spina bifida, has learning disabilities that make reading difficult. Such accommodation generally is not allowed for the reading test public school students take under the federal No Child Left Behind law - nor is skipping the exam. (AP Photo/L.G. Patterson)
What where you just saying about Kevin being stuck in EASL?
Think the school was kooking the books?
A couple of our schools are in trouble because of the "recent Immigrant" population scores. The government says that students whose first language is other than language must be able to read, write, and comprehend English--I believe within 3 years of enrolling in public schools. Some kids are bright enough to be able to do that. A significant number are simply unable to pick up a second language that quickly. Doesn't matter, though--the federal government says that they must. Unfortunately, the government does send schools a magic wand to accompany the mandate.
If a kid comes into this country literate in their own language, they should be able to catch up to English pretty well in 3 years. But the overwhelming majority come here illiterate in their native language with no sound-symbol knowledge. They cannot learn English in 3 years - not well enough to be tested at grade level.
Something needs to be done to make the testing reasonable.
What part of 'No Child' don't they understand? Jeez, 2014 is seven years off, and they're already lowering the bar.
We have a 13 year-old student who arrived from Mexico with no education whatsoever. No matter--we're responsible for getting him up to speed in 3 years. It's ridiculous. Grrrr.
You think fewer immigrants are coming across the border in the next 7 years? This is a problem that is not going away, but getting much worse.
Then dump the program. Stratifying is no better than tracking, and we didn't need federal money to do it.
"As a wealthy nation we should try to help folks be happy'
Tell me you didn't mean to say that.
That is what the General Assembly is going to vote on. The question is "Is the money that VA gets from NCLB worth the hassle of conforming to the testing standards?" From what I've been told, the amount of $$ from the Feds is pretty low and there is a chance the General Assembly will vote us out of it, but we'll see I reckon.
You are really cruel. Perhaps institutionalizing them will make you feel better?
Until the congress has the backbone to change this law, what you or I think doesn't much matter. Only the law does. And trust me, there are lawyers out there that can drain every drop of milk out of that tired ol' pig called the Federal Government.
Folks seem to get so overwrought regarding this debate.
"Mainstreaming" is the educational equivalent of socialism in my humble opinion.
Everyone suffers, these were not the ideas of the legislature in the beginning.
We are all different, and each of our substream of students deserves the best, therefore kids should be able to compete upon a basis that challenges them. Try challenging them.. the genetic sense of competition is in all of us despite our differences.
JMHO. as a Mom
Dear Bob,
Be careful what you post. Someone might think that you're a dirty old man with a one-track mind, particularly since your post has nothing to do with this thread.
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