What the No Child Left Behind Law Means for Your Child
The No Child Left Behind law has brought sweeping changes to education across the nation. Here's what it means to your child.
Since the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) law took effect in 2002, it has had a sweeping impact on U.S. public school classrooms. It affects what students are taught, the tests they take, the training of their teachers and the way money is spent on education.
Debate rages over whether the law is an effective way to improve academic achievement. Congress was scheduled to decide whether to renew it in 2007. But efforts stalled amid criticism of the law from both Democrats and Republicans, and arguments over how to change it.
Does Tutoring Work?
A 2006 report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office on how the tutoring services requirement of NCLB is working recommends that the federal government help states evaluate whether tutoring is improving student achievement because no state has done this conclusively.
The latest estimates, according to U.S. Deputy Secretary of Education Ray Simon, are that NCLB will probably not be reauthorized until 2010. In the meantime, in October 2008, the U.S. Department of Education added new regulations to the law which include requiring schools to provide a uniform calculation for high school graduation rates, and enhancing a parent's ability to access school choice and tutoring options for their children by requiring schools (and providing them with funds) to communicate to parents about their options in a timely and clear way.
The Focus of the Debate
NCLB's advocates say the landmark law holds schools accountable, empowers parents and is helping to close the achievement gap in America's schools.
Many critics, including those who agree with the law's goals, argue that it is a "one-size-fits-all" approach to education that overemphasizes testing and doesn't provide enough money to schools to achieve success.
As stricter testing requirements and penalties have taken effect, several states have rebelled, challenging the law in legislatures and the courts. In response, the U.S. Department of Education has given greater latitude to some districts and states in satisfying the law's provisions. That, in turn, has drawn criticism that the federal government has gone too far and weakened the law so much that it can't achieve its goals.
For parents trying to figure out how NCLB affects their children, it can be tough to keep up with the fast-moving developments. Here's a primer:
NCLB, Your Child and Your School
The law may help your child in two ways:
- Your child may be eligible to move to a better school or could receive free tutoring.
- Your school could qualify for grants to use toward attracting top-notch teachers or other school programs.
But your child and your school may not receive the full benefits if you don't ask for them. The U.S. Department of Education has neither the personnel nor the budget to make sure that all of the nation's public schools comply with NCLB's complicated regulations. Education officials have said from the start that the key to enforcement would be parents who pressure schools to give their children the options provided by the federal law.
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Comments from GreatSchools.net readers
06/8/2009:
"Hi,
I have worked for a title 1 school in Florida for the past five years.
Most of the children retained, in my view, have nothing more wrong with
them then being 'curriculum impaired'. It is very sad to see our youth
viewing themselves as failures before the age of 10.
I am not afraid of speaking out or losing my job for doing so. I know in
my heart that we are doing our children a lifelong terrible disservice by
not protesting NCLB.
I read recently about the television program titled 'Jehrico'. sp? At any
rate, its producers decided to cancel the show due to lack of ratings.
Proponents of the program joined together and protested. Apparently there
was a character on the program who always said 'nuts'. So, this group
decided to bombard the producers with bags of nuts as a protest. The
producers in turn returned the show to the air for more episodes.
There is no reason we as parents and teachers can not follow their lead.
What would you think of doing something like:
Dear NCLB legislators,
No child left behind?
I have been left behind ____ times!
Post a picture of your child (not smiling) in/or on the letter, frame it
(so it will take up lots of room!) and mail it to:
US Department of Education
400 Maryland Ave, SW
Washington, DC 20202
"
05/12/2009:
"I am doing a research project for my English II class and I'm trying to
find ways that the community, parents, and teachers can help out with the
No Child Left Behind Act. Any suggestions?"
05/11/2009:
" Wow! I am a parent as well as a teacher and cannot believe the amount of
excuses coming from parents about their children. One parent is blaming
all of her daughters teachers for the lack of accountablity that was
taught to her daughter. Now that her 21 year old cannot hold down a job
it must be the teachers fault. Are you kidding me?! Sorry mom, that one
falls on you!!! Sounds like you have been making excuses for your
daughter the majority of her life. Other parents on here want to believe
that all teachers just pass through students and really do not teach at
all. The government is the one you want to place blame on. They have
taken away our right to teach, with classroom sizes of 35 it is no longer
teaching it is babysitting. It is impossible to use the NCLB standards in
a classroom with 35 individuals whos needs very considerably. Now the
government tells us what we have to teach and how to do it. The idea
behind NCLB was great; however, poorly written and n!
ot financially backed by the government has made more problems for
schools, teachers, and more importantly your children. "
04/29/2009:
"COPY AND PASTA IF YOU AGREE!
'I HAVE READ 'THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND LAW,' TO BE HONEST WHEN I FIRST
HEARD ABOUT IT I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE GREAT AND KIDS WOULD HAVE A
CHANCE TO HAVE A BETTER FUTURE, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE A SON WHO HAS TROUBLE
LEARNING AND I SEE THAT THE SCHOOL IS DOING NOTHING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS,
I ASK MYSELF, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE F THIS CHILD NO LEFT BEHIND ACT? MY SON
IS 7 AND FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE KNOWN HE NEEDS HELP LEARNING AND
UNDERSTANDING THE MATERIAL TAUGHT IN SCHOOL. BUT THE TEACHERS ARE NOT
LISTENING AND THEY FEEL MY SON BEING RETAINED WILL HELP. NO ONE KNOWS A
CHILD LIKE THE PARENTS DO, MY SON WONT DO HIS HOMEWORK BECAUSE HE DOESNT
UNDERSTAND IT, HIS SISTERS AND I TRY TO EXPLAIN AND HE GETS FRUSTRATED,
WHEN I TELL HIS TEACHER THIS SHE DECIDED TO GIVE HIM EASIER HOMEWORK SO
THAT SHE DOESNT HAVE TO SPEND ANYTIME WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS OTHER
STUDENTS. I DONT THINK THIS IS RIGHT BECAUSE NOW MY SON HAS TO REPEAT THE
FIRST GRADE, SINCE KINDERGARTEN IVE BEEN TELLING THE TEAC! H!
ERS MY SON IS DIFFERENT. NO ONE WILL LISTEN. I WANT MY SON TO HAVE A
FUTURE TOO, I DONT WANT HIM TO NOT CARE WHEN HES OLDER BECAUSE NO ONE
CARES NOW. WHAT KIND OF LAW IS THIS WHEN MY CHILD IS SUFFERING? I ASK
MYSELF HOW MANY MORE KIDS ARE OUT THERE GOING THRU THIS AND PARENTS DONT
SPEAK OUT. I HONESTLY NEED HELP FOR MY SON, PLEASE, TELL ME WHAT I NEED TO
DO...'"
04/27/2009:
"I HAVE READ 'THE NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND LAW,' TO BE HONEST WHEN I FIRST
HEARD ABOUT IT I KNEW IT WAS GOING TO BE GREAT AND KIDS WOULD HAVE A
CHANCE TO HAVE A BETTER FUTURE, BUT NOW THAT I HAVE A SON WHO HAS TROUBLE
LEARNING AND I SEE THAT THE SCHOOL IS DOING NOTHING FOR THE PAST 2 YEARS,
I ASK MYSELF, WHAT IS THE PURPOSE F THIS CHILD NO LEFT BEHIND ACT? MY SON
IS 7 AND FOR A LONG TIME I HAVE KNOWN HE NEEDS HELP LEARNING AND
UNDERSTANDING THE MATERIAL TAUGHT IN SCHOOL. BUT THE TEACHERS ARE NOT
LISTENING AND THEY FEEL MY SON BEING RETAINED WILL HELP. NO ONE KNOWS A
CHILD LIKE THE PARENTS DO, MY SON WONT DO HIS HOMEWORK BECAUSE HE DOESNT
UNDERSTAND IT, HIS SISTERS AND I TRY TO EXPLAIN AND HE GETS FRUSTRATED,
WHEN I TELL HIS TEACHER THIS SHE DECIDED TO GIVE HIM EASIER HOMEWORK SO
THAT SHE DOESNT HAVE TO SPEND ANYTIME WITH HIM BECAUSE SHE HAS OTHER
STUDENTS. I DONT THINK THIS IS RIGHT BECAUSE NOW MY SON HAS TO REPEAT THE
FIRST GRADE, SINCE KINDERGARTEN IVE BEEN TELLING THE TEAC!
HERS MY SON IS DIFFERENT. NO ONE WILL LISTEN. I WANT MY SON TO HAVE A
FUTURE TOO, I DONT WANT HIM TO NOT CARE WHEN HES OLDER BECAUSE NO ONE
CARES NOW. WHAT KIND OF LAW IS THIS WHEN MY CHILD IS SUFFERING? I ASK
MYSELF HOW MANY MORE KIDS ARE OUT THERE GOING THRU THIS AND PARENTS DONT
SPEAK OUT. I HONESTLY NEED HELP FOR MY SON, PLEASE, TELL ME WHAT I NEED
TO DO..."
04/20/2009:
"No Child Left Behind may help the stragglers of the groups, but it's
holding the leaders back. They start focusing on the slowest people, and
they may benefit, but the rest of us students suffer. Many of the people
who are affected by NCLB don't want to learn, and the teachers focus on
teaching them instead of teaching those of us who actually want and enjoy
learning.
I have also noticed that the teachers at my school have been under so much
pressure of not letting a few specific kids fall through the cracks, that
they don't worry about everyone learning what they're supposed to. I was
talking to the EY (Excellence in Youth, or GT to some) coordinator and she
said that even though everyone has different learning styles, it's the
teachers job to find the one that suits each student the best. Of course,
this does mean the students need to communicate effectively how they need
help, but most students don't realize this and just keep going. The
teacher never even asks. They're to busy giving specific instructions to
Johnny in the corner while you sit here struggling to follow what the heck
she's even saying.
I may have rambled or basically reiterated myself several times, and I'm
sorry for that, but I'm sick and tired of hearing, 'We just don't care
about EY kids.'"
04/2/2009:
"I have personally been involved with the 'No child left behind' program
with my step daughter. I (and many of my friends that are teachers call it
the 'Get them out of here program'. The program will keep lowering the
standards until your child can meet them. They do things like go over a
work sheet in class having the kids fill in the answers as the teachers
give them, and then give them the exact same sheet as a test to take home
to take and bring back the next day. Of course these kids are smart enough
to just copy from one sheet to the other. I was actually told that even
though she didn't do her homework that as long as she came to class
prepared (with pencil and paper) that they had to give her an A for the
day for trying. It is supposed to be positive reinforcement. She is now 21
years old. She can't hold a job because she can't understand why she has
to do what she was hired for instead of just getting a reward for showing
up. I tried to voice my concern to the schoo!
l but was told that they have to pass the kids or there parents threaten
to sue them. I don't understand it. How about the school starts suing the
parents when there kids aren't passing. If you think about it.....If they
do all there homework and listen in class and still fail all the test they
will still get at least a passing grade. Not a good one but at least
passing. Maybe if you start holding the parents responsible for there kids
not doing there homework or behaving and listening in class then maybe you
won't need to have a 'No child left behind' program. Maybe you could have
a 'Take responsibility for what your child becomes' program."
04/2/2009:
"in reading this article i feel that the school my son attended did not
follow the rule where they did not report the teacher stress levels
because on a daily basis i would hear teachers yelling at the students and
to my understanding once you yell at a kid they kind of tune you out so
therefore nothing is being accomplished because it was everyday and also
they were more focused on celebrating holidays with parties and such to
academics for example i do not celebrate oct31 so i was told to keep my
son home because they were going to have the party and even though it was
one day imagine just one student from each district missing school because
a party for a day that has no academic or historical significance was
going to be held. a waste of time and money so that is just a couple of
incidents where i see that does hurt all the way around. i was not
surprised when i found out that this school is one of those schools that
is failing."
04/2/2009:
"What I don't understand is why students aren't grouped according to how
much they know. My daughter is in first grade and is very intelligent with
a higher reading and math level. She is stuck in class with some students
who are way behind and one student who is still learning English. There
are also a few who have behavior problems. These kids hold up the whole
class. Her teacher can't progress since half of the students take longer
to understand what is being taught. It makes school very boring for half
of the class. When I was in school we were put into class according to how
we interpreted information and how advanced we are. I feel this way leaves
alot of children behind and it isn't fair to any of the students. I can
understand how you wouldn't want an underperforming child's self esteem to
be hurt by being placed in a lesser class, however isn't their self esteem
hurt worse when they are in class with others who are more advanced and
understand things much quicker tha!
n they do.
Another problem is lack of parental involvement. The students in class
actually had to sign an agreement to do their homework every day since
only a handful of students in class do. These kids are 6. I feel it's a
parent's responsibility to ensure their kids are doing their work. My
daughter's homework is always completed, even when she is absent and we
also find time to teach her at home. When we cook we explain fractions.
When we are out we read signs. I explain news events to her and point out
landmarks. We discuss different people and the places they come from. We
challenge her to add and subtract larger numbers and talk about how plants
grow when spring arrives. Parents need to get off their cell phones and
engage their children more. Play a game with your kids, teach them about
money at the grocery store, point out fractions on a pizza pie or shapes
on signs. We need to guide our children's thought processes and not rely
on school to teach them everything. This has to !
be the laziest generation of parents ever and it's hurting our children
and their future. "
04/2/2009:
"my 8th grader came home from school last week and said that she has
teachers who still put desks in a circle and have kids read out loud. And
it takes some kids a very long time to read a simple paragraph. If their
is a word they can not pronounce they are told to'sound it out'. This is
elementary school teaching...not the year before high school. In the
meantime all the rest of the students are forced to waste their time just
sitting and waiting on students that never should have been 'shoved
through' the school system. The 'no child' act is a complete farce. "
04/2/2009:
"I understand that the we need to help Left Behind kid, but just putting
them to the better district school is not enough. Home education is very
important, did their parents follow up with their homework, did their
parents care? My two girls are gifted and we are in the best school
district. I see there are a lot of Left Behind kid transferred to our
school, using a lot of our tax money. My kids and those are purposed at
this school district that did not get the benefit of it. Poway does not
have that program, therefore, they have the better education score."
04/2/2009:
"NCLB certainly had a huge impact on my family. My daughter was threatened
by a young juvenile delinquent with a rap sheet several pages long... for
supposedly suggesting that a friend 'break-up' with him when they were
only 11 years old. The boy actually brought a knife to school and
admitted that he intended to stab my daughter and 3 of her friends with
it. The school could not expel him, or even suspend him for long because
he was 'diagnosed' with 'conduct disorder'. The school did not have the
resources to prevent him and his friends from approaching and harassing my
daughter. Eventually I had to involve my lawyer and have my daughter
transferred to another school. Now we have to drive a considerable
distance to drop her off and pick her up every school day. What if we were
unable to provide her that transportation (not that it hasnt impacted our
family financially, because it has.) Is this fair and/or reasonable?
Children who are dangerous require more specialized attention and
resources than are available even in the best, 'blue ribbon' public
schools. They should not be allowed to compromise the safety of the rest
of the student population."
04/2/2009:
"I do not like it. If the child is not ready why push them so other
countries can see how stupid our country is?
Maybe the schools should have a special ed class where the child is taken
out of the class for help instead of in the back of a class while a
teacher is teaching one thing and the other is teachign something else.
let the child stay back and re learn what ever it is"
04/2/2009:
"No child left behind means that our children along with many others have
to wait for the slow learners to catch up.
Therefore, we are dragging our school systems down instead of building
them up.
No child left behind sounds good if you are running for office, if you are
paying the bills at the Schools as taxpayers, it has it faults."
04/2/2009:
"The NCLB law was legislated as a political ploy by both political parties
in the U.S. This law is the biggest blunder to the public school system in
this country and will eventually bankrupt the entire system, as local
school boards get into the lives' and homes of its' students and their
families. Do the math. It is not difficult to understand why this law does
not work and why it is detrimental to students nationwide. Standards have
been lowered to keep African-Americans in the same ballpark as whites, not
to mention Hispanics and their lack of academic skills. Here is a fact:
African-American students, generally speaking, do not do homework, do not
ask for extra help, do not stay after school seeking help from their
teachers and overall have a disdain for school and related activities. It
is also true, generally speaking, that African-Americans do not have a
home support system. However, this is where many believe it is the Public
School System's responsibility and duty t!
o fix all the social ills that plague our society. We have numerous
specialists in our school system, beginning with academic teachers, speech
pathologists, psychologists, psychiatrists, occupational therapists,
special ed teachers, teachers assistants, massage therapists for one child
who has cerebral palsy and is wheelchair bound and physical ed specialists
to integrate this one child into mainstream physical activities, requested
by his family and met by the school board without question or cost to the
taxpayers. You may believe the NCLB legislation is a blueprint for the
future of education in the United States but all it has accomplished, thus
far, is to lower standards, expectations, given a false sense of security
and achievement to students, who cannot write a complete sentence,
subtract two digit numbers, jog around a gymnasium for 2-3 minutes, accept
responsibility for their actions, take criticism from their teachers,
constructive or otherwise and are generally v!
ery disrespectful to teachers and adults alike. I believe the !
NCLB law must be rethought and rewritten. It does not work.
Many thanks,
Craig Michaels
"
02/25/2009:
"What about the children who fall through the crack's because of test
scores fall in the grey area?
My son was evaluated by a psychologist, his test scores were in the middle
(grey area)!
This means some of his scores were a couple of points over the low end,
and some of the scores were just barely to the high end. Therefore he does
not qualify for special education classes, the teacher's are continuing
different intervention's to help him, but now he is in 7th grade, has 1 or
2 kids he talks to, he is unable to speak in front of the class for
speaches. Sure they have a 504 plan in progress which is helping to some
degree, but how is he ever going to over come participating with his
peers? He has been diagnosed with Inattentive ADD, Depression, Non Verbal
Disorder.
I have been told by his Principal and Counselor that because of his test
score's falling into the 'GRAY' area, my son is not eligble for Special
Education Services! I'm hoping that when you read this you will be able to
direct me into the right direction to get my son the proper help he needs
to excell. Thank You Tammy"
02/5/2009:
"they want each kid in the US to be on the same page when it comes to
education
but when everyone has diffrent learning styles...how does that work? so
teachers need to FOCUS ON THE KIDS WHO DON'T GET IT SO THERE NOT LEFT
BEHIND...so you ask what happends to the kids that do? Have them HELP THE
OTHER KIDS THAT DON'T GET IT.
teachers have to rush through stuff to get what is required done and if
your spending a week on a chapter and then having to take a test over
it....your not going to really learn it as well as if you took like 2
weeks right
so the kids that need more time are getting rushed through it and if they
dont get it to bad they have to move on to meet dead lines
so really thoese kids are getting left behind which is not helping the no
child left behind law
ill use myself as an example, im not the type of person who picks up on
stuff quickly. i have to have more time on something before i learn it and
understand it. so when i get rushed through something im not learning
anything and then my grades suffer cause idk what is going on - even if i
go in for help on past chapters. so when the semester test comes i dont'
do really well. therefore the teachers are not doing what they can to help
us kids learn it so that we can get better scores also and in tearms
'leaving me begind'. Teachers should be focused on helping us kids get it
so that we know what were doing because the ones who dont understand it
arel eft behind to suffer while everyone moves on. but of coures the
goverment doesn't focus on those kids- they focues on the ones who are
doing better- but really thoese kids probley just picked up on it faster
"
01/29/2009:
"My children are in college and they are dong fine. One is in medical school
and one wants to attend law school. I’m a Registered Dental Hygienist and
have been for fourteen years. I have an associate’s degree. I also have
over 102 college credit hours. I have been teaching (volunteering) in many
schools about proper oral care, nutrition, dentition and the dangers of
smoking for many years. I enjoyed teaching and I have taught many children
at ages 5, 6 and 7 how to read, including my own. I have even taught people
over the age of 40 to read. I would like to put both of my skills together
and help SC schools and their teachers. Perhaps tutor children who are
falling behind in their reading, and when I’m not doing that I could teach
classes about good dental care. I have always taught in a way that was fun
for students. I have many thanks you letters from children I have taught,
and I will always treasure them. I'm a single mother of 2 but I really
don’t need to worr!
y about my daughters now. They are fairly self sufficient. I can travel
around where I’m needed in SC. I know there is a huge need for teachers. I
live in Dorchester County and I know a few schools have closed. The school
budgets are tight. If there is a way that a full time position could be made
for me within the school district I would greatly appreciate it. It
essentially is putting two jobs together, but having to pay one person. The
dental programs have been cut back as well and the need for preventative
oral health care is more important now than ever. I have much to offer.
It's the best feeling to be able to teach children. At night I know I have
helped our kids be more informed more self sufficient people. Who can I talk
about my concerns and ideas, and if my experience and knowledge would help
some of the schools in SC? The school nurses have their hands full from
what I hear. Now the teachers don’t have time to teach preventative oral
health care in thei!
r classes. I have worked in clinics where 8-16 year olds did n!
ot own a tooth brush and lacked knowledge of why it’s important to do
their own homecare. I have never dealt with the state or government so this
is all new to me. I have something to offer and I know SC schools need it.
We are now under a new administration with President Obama, but I’m still
under the assumption that people have to pull together and rely on each
other instead of waiting for the economy to magically recover. It will
recover much more quickly if we rely on each other in our own state. Our
children need help now.
Thanks for your time.
Sarah
"
01/28/2009:
"What about children in the hospital for a 6month period of time. Don't
the school districts need to provide homework for these kids to keep up
with ther studies?"
01/20/2009:
"Who do I write to in congress about the NCLB Laws? My opinion is that the top students are missing out and are being pulled down having to wait on the others to catch up in the public school settings. We have no options of other schools in our district. Even though our two children are in the gifted program, their state test scores have gone down each year, our teachers spend so much time on students that don't get it, that our children are bored and are not offered work ahead programs. No wonder our country is fast losing ground in all aspect to the rest of the world!"
01/20/2009:
"nclb I like because, reflecting on where I am today, I feel ' left behind.' And it may be because of just being passed to the next grade in elementary school in the 60s.
So good Pres. Bush and the House and Senate!
A. Travis"
01/15/2009:
" When teachers are under pressure to perform and receive more intimidation than teaching skills it is normal to cheat or teach to the specific test questions that are most difficult. Undoubtedly more pay and a much more democratically run school system would improve things. I think what is needed is to have jobs in the schools or community where students can see, and know how their education relates to later employment. Quit making kids go to school and start making it a place where they want to go. ( this will require allowing them as well as many others participate in how schools develope their ciriculum and handle disciplinary problems. Don't let the misspelling lead you to wrong conclusions as I graduated from St Ignatius H.S. and never really saw the importance of education until long after going there."
12/17/2008:
"i am a serior in hidh school in florida and i am trying to write a research paper so i can graduate. but the problem is that i have never been taught how to write one. yes in my past 12 years of school (thats counting kindergarden-grade 11) i have not written a research paper.
in florida there is a standard test that you start taking in grade 3 and have to take every year untill grade 10. if you pass it in grade 10 you are done with it, but if you dont you have to take it every time they give it untill you pass because you have to pass it to graduate high school. now i understand that it is necessary to test a students knowledge before sending them out to the real world, but the stress that they put on a student about this one test is so stupid. i fourtunatnly have passed this test in grade 10, but i still strugle with school. i have never really been able to learn the curiculm other than what i have to know for this test. and that scares me.
i am now faced with having to take my GED test to graduate. thankfully if i remain in school the rest of this year i can walk with my class and recieve my daplomia. but some kids dont get this option.
something needs to be done to keep students involved in school and wanting to come back to learn. classes need to be more interesting and less about just teaching to the test standards.
~a student from florida~"
12/10/2008:
"I was very amazed by finding out about free tutoring, I have been looking for cheap tutoring forever,but there all so expensive. I was never told about any such progrom."
12/10/2008:
"this stuff doesn't work i had to drop out my sophomore year because i had ADHD a learning disability and i got a IEP but they wouldn't follow it and now my girlfriends parents have to support me my parents kicked me out they just couldn't stand having a child who is a drop out they wouldn't even give me toutering so its not like i wouldn't try to get help when i asked my teacher for help she said 'No i don't have time for you' as soon as school let out i remember her running out the doors and we graded our own paper"
12/3/2008:
"---As far as I know, teaching is one of the only jobs that requires people to do work off the clock-- grading papers, creating lessons, contacting parents for conferences, dealing with the paperwork they have to keep so people don't accuse them for not doing their jobs. Most people only have to deal with their boss, teachers have to deal with the administration, parents, students, and society at large. For acquiring a strenuous four year degree, it's probably one of the lowest paid positions. You may want to avoid making rash generalizations.
I think that No Child Left Behind gives us a good system of accountability, but it requires teachers to teach to the PSSA. Some schools don't teach anything but PSSA material until after April.
A response to: 'NCLB is an idea well over due. For far too long, teachers have garnered undeserved pay raises through union extortion while not improving their own education. The only solution offered in the past has been to throw more money at the problem, money to build bigger administrative buildings and pad the pockets of bureaucrats. Until now, there was no incentive for teachers go beyond punching the time clock. I'm sure if President Bush had thrown in millions of dollars for teacher unions, there would be nothing but accolades for this progressive plan. '
"
11/20/2008:
"Does the NCLB really make a difference? My son has been failing his math standardized test since he was in fifth grade. He is now 17 and is beyond frustrated with school because of the standardized tests. He has passed his other tests but knows he won't be able to graduate without passing this test. He feels like why does he bother to go to school when the school doesn't care. The school hasn't provided any type of help to help him pass these test. I'm afraid he will drop out and become another statistic. I asked the school if they had any programs I could enroll him in and I was told that there is nothing available. What do you mean there is no help for these children? Who is to be held accountable? I can't let him drop out and be another statistic. The school suggested he drop out and get his GED. Wow, what kind of support is that? Aren't they suppose to talk kids out of dropping out? Is there any help out there? How can they get away with dismissing children like this? Ca!
n't they be held accountable?"
11/13/2008:
"It is impossible to pass 20 students if more than half have come to the U.S. recently and don't speak English. Teachers are trying to get jobs in English speaking areas for fear they may lose their jobs. It isn't fair to the teacher or student. "
11/12/2008:
"I feel that the NCLB has left way too many kids behind."
11/12/2008:
"HOME SCHOOL your children if you want them to learn! "
