My concerns with the No Child Left Behind Act

Glad I've finally found somteihng I agree with!

Umm, are you really just giving this info out for nhtoing?

The problem with NCLB is that it makes the teachers responsible for getting as many students to meet the *minimum* requirements. Thus, teachers put most of their effort into helping those who need the help just to pass. But, this comes at the expense of the students who can easily meet the requirements. Those brighter students may not get the teacher attention they need to excel. Thus, they get bored and lose interest in school. We're creating a society were all you have to do is get by, not excel. In the end this will stifle creativity, productivity, and our ability to compete in a global economy, especially when our kids must compete with students in countries who can live on lower salaries.

The problem with NCLB is that it makes the teachers responsible for getting as many students to meet the *minimum* requirements. Thus, teachers put most of their effort into helping those who need the help just to pass. But, this comes at the expense of the students who can easily meet the requirements. Those brighter students may not get the teacher attention they need to excel. Thus, they get bored and lose interest in school. We're creating a society were all you have to do is get by, not excel. In the end this will stifle creativity, productivity, and our ability to compete in a global economy, especially when our kids must compete with students in countries who can live on lower salaries.

I agree with the opinions that this will take away the creativity of how the material is presented by the educators. One thing not mentioned is that it is misguided placing the pressure upon the students that they must pass this test. You are creating a phobia of tests that a lot of students already have. I for can attest that a written test cannot be a judge of what the student knows, as some people do not do well in this format. Also, the teachers alone should not be held accountable for the students not learning. It is equally or greater the parents responsibility to enforce the material being assimilated. This bill is a good first step, but an alternative testing may be better. The testing should not be generalized so that each student can be judged individually on what they know.

I agree with the opinions that this will take away the creativity of how the material is presented by the educators. One thing not mentioned is that it is misguided placing the pressure upon the students that they must pass this test. You are creating a phobia of tests that a lot of students already have. I for can attest that a written test cannot be a judge of what the student knows, as some people do not do well in this format. Also, the teachers alone should not be held accountable for the students not learning. It is equally or greater the parents responsibility to enforce the material being assimilated. This bill is a good first step, but an alternative testing may be better. The testing should not be generalized so that each student can be judged individually on what they know.

At first glance the No Child Left Behind Act seems like it has the best interest of the children in mind. Looking closer at the NCLB Act, it is evident that this is taking away the creativity and individuality that is portrayed with great teachers. It's not about the material being taught. It's about how the information is put out there. Granted, some children need more time with certain subjects, especially reading and math but I do not feel that requiring students to pass a standardize test will inevitably allow no child to be left behind. I am not opposing NCLB because I agree that each child should be given the opportunity to earn their "promotion" to the next grade but as you said, by requiring children to take and pass a standardize test to continue up the ladder of education you are forcing teachers to "teach the test". I believe that the NCLB Act is a step in the right direction but in no way will this solve our problems. Amy, I continuously grow impressed with you. Good luck with all of your future endeavors.

At first glance the No Child Left Behind Act seems like it has the best interest of the children in mind. Looking closer at the NCLB Act, it is evident that this is taking away the creativity and individuality that is portrayed with great teachers. It's not about the material being taught. It's about how the information is put out there. Granted, some children need more time with certain subjects, especially reading and math but I do not feel that requiring students to pass a standardize test will inevitably allow no child to be left behind. I am not opposing NCLB because I agree that each child should be given the opportunity to earn their "promotion" to the next grade but as you said, by requiring children to take and pass a standardize test to continue up the ladder of education you are forcing teachers to "teach the test". I believe that the NCLB Act is a step in the right direction but in no way will this solve our problems. Amy, I continuously grow impressed with you. Good luck with all of your future endeavors.