Since NCLB was passed, teachers have had to adjust their curriculum to incorporate standardized test preparation into lessons (Ellis, 2007).
I understand why the government thinks that standardized tests are important. I think tests are a big part of determining what a student knows and doesn't know. That being said, I think that No Child Left Behind has left our children further and further behind. If teachers must teach to insure their students pass the required standardized tests, then the teacher has to be leaving out so much information that they would really love to take the time to teach to their students. Teachers go to school for four years and then they are required to continue their education so that they stay on top of things. We consider them experts in their field. If they are the experts, then why are politicians telling them how to do their jobs?
Ellis, C. R. (2007). No Child Left Behind – A Critical Analysis. Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue, Vol. 9, Numbers 1 & 2, pp. 221-233.
Does No Child Left Behind Work?
Hollowell, K. (n.d.). How does the know child left behind act work?. Retrieved from http://www.ehow.com/how-does_4962584_child-left-behind-act-work.html
I really love the question you pose at the end of your reflection. Teachers have so much training to learn how to design lessons, engage the students, and how to evaluate if the students are learning. In my opinion, NCLB adds extra stress to teachers. I'm positive that most students learn what they are supposed to be learning for their level by their teachers regular instruction.
ReplyDeleteDiana,
ReplyDeleteYou are right about sometimes not being able to add the extra because of time constraints before testing. When we do add the extras, we are constantly critiquing ourselves and asking if what we just taught is valuable.
You make a good point with your question. I am interested to see what happens with the NCLB law. From my understanding, it will be up to each state to decide how to enact and interpret the law. I am curious to see what happens.
ReplyDeleteDid you know that according to NCLB Act that every student will be at the mastery level in all subjects tested on the WESTTEST by 2014? Ridiculous, right? I also, don't understand how students can have on their IEPs that they are allowed to retake tests until they receive a passing grade. How does that help them? That just lets them pass from one grade to the next whether they understand it or not, which means that they fall further and further behind in the curriculum.
ReplyDeleteAll of you pointed out well documented flaws in the NCLB act. What bother's me the most and Heather touched on this point is the focus on standardization instead of standards.
ReplyDeleteMy son, for example, is extremely dyslexia however he must take the same test as peers. This is standardization. If teachers or parents suggest that his is unfair, we are told we have low expectations.
Is it possible to have high standards without standardization!
Dylan does many things well and is a smart and a fast learner...just not when it comes to reading.
NCLB and it's focus on having all students everywhere learn the same content at the same pace is the major flaw. It has forced schools to adopt a narrow curriculum where only one kind of mind is valued.