Homeschoolers must remain aware of larger educational issues. A recent study of the American No Child Left Behind policy shows major problems in American education.
No Child Left Behind is leaving a lot of American children behind. Or so says a Reuter's report on a recent Harvard study looking at the progress of No Child Left Behind. President Bush implemented this education strategy in 2001, with the goal of raising reading, math, and science performance in American public schools in particular.
If you live in America and know anyone in public school, you have probably heard a lot concerning the focus on testing and test results that are occurring in campuses across the nation. All of this was to ensure that the nation's children were being educated with a knowledge that can carry them into the larger world.
The Harvard Civil Rights Project study showed almost no improvement in math or reading scores since 2001, and a decline in science scores. The study also showed no significant improvement in test results for minorities, which the No Child Left Behind policy was supposed to be helping.
American government claims that the policy is effective. In particular, younger elementary students are showing good reading scores.
However, many schools across the country are facing possible sanctions if their test results do not improve. Schools must show improvement from all demographic groups in English and math every year. Schools in every part of America are feeling the pressure. For example, the entire Milwaukee, Wisconsin school district failed to show improvement this year. This means that school officials there will focus extra hard on improving results on the exams. If they do not, students in poor-performing schools can transfer to a better school, public or private, or choose to receive educational aid using Title I money. This hurts the school districts, and supposedly motivates them to improve the education their district's children are receiving.
Even if Milwaukee achieves progress this next year, will that be a true measure of education in that city? Is it a good standard for America children? Are fear of sanctions and fear of federal money good motivators for learning?
The goal is 2014. That is the magic year No Child Left Behind is aiming for. By 2014, American students should achieve a certain education proficiency goal. The recent Harvard report indicates that the goal is far from being met. Time will tell.
The copyright of the article No Child Left Behind in Homeschooling is owned by Christine Alcott. Permission to republish No Child Left Behind must be granted by the author in writing.
Comments
Jun 16, 2006 7:24 AM
Barbara Pytel
:
Working in a public school with very high academics, I have a different perspective. We do have scores in the top 10 and 15% and we are still required to collect data and show continual improvement under NCLB. The time spend documenting what we are doing "right" is seen as wasted time that could be spent teaching kids. And, each year there is more documentation required. It is very frustrating. Then, to read that results are minimal to none doesn't inspire one to document even more.
Jun 16, 2006 9:48 AM
Christine Alcott
:
I have many friends teaching in public schools. They all are quite fed up with red tape. If you are out there, pytel, what do you think are some things that would really improve the education scene for both those trying to educate and those needing to learn?
Jun 17, 2006 8:36 AM
Barbara Pytel
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1. If a school is in the top 25th or 30th percentile, I don't think they should have to do the paperwork for NCLB. Obviously, they are being successful. Leave them alone. Just like we sometimes let kids that are getting an A skip the semester test, we should reward schools in some way that are doing a good job. Right now, we punish but don't reward.
2. Schools that "are" in the top should be announced on a list as "schools that are working." The school website should be listed and testing scores posted on the site. Curriculums could be listed, any special reading or math programs, textbooks used, etc. I would think that schools would be more than happy to post this information on their websites if it meant not having to deal with NCLB.
3. Schools that are not succeeding could review the information and see if there is a consistent pattern in successful schools. Perhaps, a particular reading program, like Guided Reading, pops up in the majority of successful schools.
4. Reward successful schools. Right now there is talk about specific teachers being rewarded, especially math and reading. Singling out specific teachers will divide staff. If a school as a whole is rewarded, everyone will work together and be rewarded together.
5. But most of all, the federal government should get out of the education business. According to the Constitution, this is a state issue. It is actually unconstitutional for the federal government to be dictating anything to the states.
Jun 19, 2006 3:24 PM
Christine Alcott
:
What an excellent summary of your opinions! Very clear and practical! It is a shame those who have control do not listen to the ones, like you, that are really in the know! Continuing to divide schools from within does not seem smart at all, and obviously is not working. Is there anything that the average person can do to help this situation, in your opinion. I do enjoy homeschooling, but I also want our public schools to be successful and helpful in the way they are meant to be. Keep up your good work.
