Comments on: No Child Left Behind Ensures Children Are Left Behind

By: Lisa

Lisa — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 19:53:33 +0000

I have been a teacher for a number of years, but I left the US for Canada just as Bush was taking office and the NCLB came into effect. Seeing this only from the other side of the border, I have to say it seems as though, as with many of his programs, he thought of it one night in his sleep and before even thinking about the implications it was a law. I really wonder what his former teacher wife thinks about it all??

Holly, just out of curiousity, why keep your son in the early kindergarten? If you really feel it isn’t fitting his needs, do you have the option of leaving? (I know some states make K a law and others don’t.)My bro and sis-in-law (both former kindergarten teachers) are sending their 2nd daughter to junior kindergarten next week for the first time and they have really debated about sending her for many of the reasons you talk about (academic push when they want her to just have time to be a kid.)Ultimately she is going because all the other 4 year olds in the neighorhood are going, but they plan to re-evaluate the decision at the end of October.

It’s easy for things to look good on paper isn’t it? I’m actually not worried about my son being stressed because how I handle things is most important to me. I know he’ll absorb/take in what he’s ready for and no more and as long as I’m not pushing him at home (actually helping smooth it out and relax it some) I think we’ll both be fine. It just leaves me sad for so many parents who don’t see their level of control in this way and jump on the stress bandwagon. Thanks so much for sharing your thoughts!

By: Char

Char — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 17:48:14 +0000

The average and above average students are the ones suffering most. Their creativity has been stifled and the teachers basically have to teach to the lowest common denominator.

Another wonderful perspective! Thanks for sharing!

By: Daddy Forever

Daddy Forever — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 05:15:13 +0000

There’s also the question of how to deal with underperforming schools. Students that attend underperforming schools have the option to transfer. The underperforming schools has to pay for the students’ transportation. A lot of the underperforming schools in our area have money problems. Spending money to transport kids to other schools makes it even harder for the schools to meet the mew standards. Makes no sense.

Excellent point. Again, we seem to missing the forest for the tree eh?

By: Lisa Gates

Lisa Gates — Wed, 22 Aug 2007 00:24:01 +0000

Holly, I can’t thank you enough for this post. I’m with Kate. We’re beaureacratizing and institutionalizing education to the point that any creativity has “left the building.” I call it “No Child Left Breathing.”

Our fears have taken us so far into the domain of too-much, too-fast and our children ARE suffering, not excelling, despite the A’s. Learning to read in preschool (yes) is basically parroting and memorization, not deeply held, deeply felt experiential learning. We have stopped considering what is best for each developmental stage in favor of what we think will have kids perform like circus monkeys for government dollars.

Ludicrous. For a look at a leader who is dedicated to putting back “the public” in public education, check out Green Dot Schools in California. http://www.greendot.org/

A big 2 cents…

Lisa, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts on this. It’s nice to know that I’m not alone in my concerns and frustrations!

By: Kate

Kate — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 14:38:21 +0000

I think it’s a common political tool to distract voters from issues that are costing them lives and money. If we are all worried about what our own children are or aren’t learning during a manufactured educational crisis, then we aren’t worried about how much of our tax dollars are going to weapons instead of schools.

Interesting thought Kate. I think we’re just too concerned about appearances and good reports in general.

By: Vicky

Vicky — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 11:57:26 +0000

My husband is a teacher and he does his job by teaching the kids what he thinks they need. But the No child policy is the reason he’s not teaching a normal class. He teaches keyboard and marketing. Something the children elect to take. He hates the policy as well. He’s not even allowed, seriously… to fail a child even if they are failing. I think if they get below a 70… he has to give them 70.

I hope to see things even out in the future…it’s hard to imagine it getting worse.