vc318

Another week and a new topic. Here we go:

Where I live (Florida), the results of the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test or FCAT will be out in little over a week. This is a test that must be given to all primary and secondary students and is used to grade the overall performance of a school. In addition, the test is used in retaining or holding students from graduating high school if they fail the test. These type of tests were enacted by Bush's No Child Left Behind at the beginning of his term. According to Wikipedia:


The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 (Public Law 107-110), often abbreviated in print as NCLB, is a controversial United States federal law (Act of Congress) that reauthorized a number of federal programs aiming to improve the performance of U.S. primary and secondary schools by increasing the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools, as well as providing parents more flexibility in choosing which schools their children will attend. Additionally, it promoted an increased focus on reading and re-authorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (ESEA). The Act was passed in the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001[1], United States Senate on June 14, 2001[2] and signed into law on January 8, 2002.

NCLB has come under great criticism in the past years for forcing teachers to teach directly to what the test focuses on, that the tests are culturally biased, and schools are held accountable for how the students perform by receiving a letter grade based on the results of those tests.

So, I was wondering - what are your thoughts on Bush's No Child Left Behind Act? Should children be subjected to these types of tests? Should these type of test be used in retaining children (as it does at the 3rd grade level if the don't pass the FCAT, for example)?

Please share your thoughts.

migamoo

I know Maryland has many standardized tests from elementary to high schools. I think when I was in school I had as many as 8-10 standardized tests total. When I was in high school they started to HSA (High School Assessments) but they didn't count against me as they were just a test run to see how they would work. They started to count for the class of 08, this year, 5 years after I graduated. If a child does not pass these tests, they will not be allowed to graduate.

Now, I understand wanting to "test" the schools on what they are teaching, but I don't see how this is fair for the students. I think a lot of teachers feel they are being forced to teach these tests, and not what they should be teaching. Kids aren't going to learn what they need to and are going to get to college and realize they were never prepared. I saw it last year in my college composition classes. People did not know basic writing skills and had to be reminded on how to make a paragraph. No lie.

sunnykerr

When you teach for test results, the only thing you accomplish is to leave children behind. Never mind kids who take longer to learn or need a bit more help to adapt, the system essentially rewards cramming.

Kids only learn what they need to know for a test and, regardless of the results achieved on that test, everything that goes around it (like basic reading, writing or math skills) are ignored. And no one checks a year after the fact to see that the material is still retained.

I know it's a problematic system. Education doesn't bring in money to the government. Not over the short term anyway, and politicians generally don't look to long-term solutions, unless it's to problems they'd rather not deal with.

But you can't teach children like they're all the same. Kids learn differently. They have different strenghts. And testing on results alone flies in the face of the best incentive that ever lived: validating improvement.

Ali

Big fat MISS. My twelve year old cousin is very bright, but he also has Asbergers(sp?) and is mildly autistic. So test taking isn't easy for him and certainly doesn't show the school board how intelligent he really is.

I couldn't have said it better myself!

Jen Jaree

No Child Left Behind my ass

vc318

I hope the next president will definitely re-examine NCLB. I think if teachers had time in the classroom to just teach as opposed to prepping students just to pass some test, we might be able to address other issues that low-performing students might be facing, such as emotional and financial problems.

I can't understand why one test should shape how well of a student you are. I mean, the reality is that some students are just not good test takers. Quite frankly, sometimes those students who go off to technical/trade school end
up doing financially better than other professionals who spend years in school.

iheartjustinchambers

opps, double post

iheartjustinchambers

The No Child Left Behind Act is nothing but a big fat joke.

Wahine21

Couldn't agree with you more! NCLB is a huge waste of time, money and resources.

Jen Jaree

and it also doesn't live up to it's name

vc318

It's really sad but here in Florida, they want to cut the salaries and jobs of teachers because they claim there isn't enough money in education. Yet, I'm sure if that got rid of that ridiculous FCAT testing, there would be more money available. I doubt the Bush family would like that since they profit off all those standardized tests that are produced.

Wahine21

Being from Florida, I completely agree with you. It's completely ridiculous.

S.A.S.H.A.

Ugh, it's all about meeting the API and getting passing scores on the CAHSEE at my school.

Sasha

vc318

Hey Sasha! Are those tests given every year?

sunnykerr

They do that same old excuse all over the world, I imagine. Because, of course, over the short term, education doesn't get the government much by way of returns. No, the returns come when the kids grow up and enrich society. But no government that I know has ever had the foresight to see that born out.