So far I have 3 problems with NCLB. The first is that the states are allowed to set their own standards...in my state, an 8th grader who is reading at a 4th grade level can still pass the test and be promoted.
The 2nd problem I have is that even if a kid fails the test, s/he will probably be promoted anyway.
My third problem is that if we have too many special education students who fail the tests, our school is considered "failing" even if the other kids do okay
Sounds like a totally impossible educational framework and utterly impossible to implement.
Surely such a situation would be an exercise in complete frustration for the semi-literate child. The better prepared students must be bored out of their minds waiting for these kids to catch up with the class. And...I expect that because of the inability to keep up some of these semi-literate kids are disruptive in their behavior. Some would call this emotional child abuse for all involved.
Children with 3rd grade reading skills in 9th grade classes???? Huh?
If a child fails the test and is promoted anyway, aren't the teachers and principals lying to that student? What sort of morals are being taught here?
And...If a child who is really reading at the 3rd grade level is placed in a 9th grade class, isn't that called ***"lying"***? Aren't the teachers and principals **lying*** to that child and his parents?
Why are teachers cooperating with this? Last time I checked, teaching wasn't like a military draft. No one will go to jail if they quit.
Mostly because they aren't smart enough to get real jobs, I think.
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Surely such a situation would be an exercise in complete frustration for the semi-literate child. The better prepared students must be bored out of their minds waiting for these kids to catch up with the class. And”
I’ve heard some complaints from a couple friends of mine who are parents of bright students that the teachers aren’t paying as much attention to them because they are trying to bring the dummies up to speed. I don’t know how prevalent that is.
“Children with 3rd grade reading skills in 9th grade classes???? Huh?”
I have been a volunteer tutor in poor schools for many years. I tutored a kid who passed civics but failed the state civics test. He passed a high school civics class and couldn’t name one of the three branches of government. Not one! In his defense I don’t think it was him being lazy. I think he was mildly retarded. Still is it fair to him to keep passing him up to harder grades? It sure isn’t fair to society to let a kid graduate who hasn’t mastered content.