Re: NCLB statistically impossible

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NCLB Chatboard

NCLB statistically impossible

by we're ALL in trouble

Jan 28, 2009

Hey everyone out there- It is statistically impossible for all students to be proficient. Period. When students are INSTRUCTED (due to an IEP) on a second grade reading level...and are TESTED on a sixth grade level (and expected to pass!) there's something seriously wrong! It's like expecting a dentist to pass a pilot's exam, or a CPA to pass the test to become a surgeon...why do we insist that kids pass tests that they haven't received instruction for? OF COURSE they will fail. I've had my special ed kids CRYING hysterically in a 6th grade classroom because they could NOT read the darn test!(they were on a 2nd grade reading level!) What do you tell them??? (guess? When in doubt the answer is "c?", just sit there and don't do it???) Relax....the government couldn't possibly "take over" every school in the nation in a few years. Who the heck wants the responsibility for THAT mess? In my inner city district, we've got TONS of schools that didn't make AYP- and guess what? The "for profit,...See MoreHey everyone out there- It is statistically impossible for all students to be proficient. Period. When students are INSTRUCTED (due to an IEP) on a second grade reading level...and are TESTED on a sixth grade level (and expected to pass!) there's something seriously wrong! It's like expecting a dentist to pass a pilot's exam, or a CPA to pass the test to become a surgeon...why do we insist that kids pass tests that they haven't received instruction for? OF COURSE they will fail. I've had my special ed kids CRYING hysterically in a 6th grade classroom because they could NOT read the darn test!(they were on a 2nd grade reading level!) What do you tell them??? (guess? When in doubt the answer is "c?", just sit there and don't do it???) Relax....the government couldn't possibly "take over" every school in the nation in a few years. Who the heck wants the responsibility for THAT mess? In my inner city district, we've got TONS of schools that didn't make AYP- and guess what? The "for profit, experts" who come in (having NEVER been in a classroom) to "FIX" the problem are doing nothing more than collecting a paycheck. DOZENS of "expert" companies have made millions off our district, and they don't know what to do either. Fire me if you want- but the idea that one can come in with a "one size fits all" radical change model and fix the schools that fail to make AYP is absolutely absurd. You can say that my class is "the sea of unwanteds" -kids from broken homes/parents in jail or dealing drugs/the typical 'ghetto gang'...BUT...I'll be darned if I'm about to let some guy in a suit and tie tell me that my kids are failures because they didn't pass the State Test. They ARE learning, and they WILL be productive members of society if you let me do my job. I know my kids better than the "experts" from the privatization companies. You will have a hard time pulling this inner city teacher from her post! I have goals for my kids, and NCLB is not going to deter me from reaching those goals.So..the problem is that NCLB wants to assign blame, move kids around the city in search of the "magical" school, penalize teachers, restructure...go ahead. BTW- My school is a National Blue Ribbon School- more proof that it doesn't matter WHERE your school is located- they ALL have potential if you address the individual needs of the school, and keep moving forward.

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You are so right. That's why I say, "Give me my CHECK." Too many wealthy/rich people are, mostly men, are continuing to increase their wealth off the backs of kids and teachers. Just pay me, too.

On 1/28/09, we're ALL in trouble wrote: > Hey everyone out there- > It is statistically impossible for all students to be > proficient. Period. When students are INSTRUCTED (due to > an IE...See MoreToo many wealthy/rich people are, mostly men, are continuing to increase their wealth off the backs of kids and teachers. Just pay me, too.

On 1/28/09, we're ALL in trouble wrote: > Hey everyone out there- > It is statistically impossible for all students to be > proficient. Period. When students are INSTRUCTED (due to > an IEP) on a second grade reading level...and are TESTED > on a sixth grade level (and expected to pass!) there's > something seriously wrong! It's like expecting a dentist > to pass a pilot's exam, or a CPA to pass the test to > become a surgeon...why do we insist that kids pass tests > that they haven't received instruction for? OF COURSE they > will fail. I've had my special ed kids CRYING hysterically > in a 6th grade classroom because they could NOT read the > darn test!(they were on a 2nd grade reading level!) What > do you tell them??? (guess? When in doubt the answer > is "c?", just sit there and don't do it???) Relax....the > government couldn't possibly "take over" every school in > the nation in a few years. Who the heck wants the > responsibility for THAT mess? In my inner city district, > we've got TONS of schools that didn't make AYP- and guess > what? The "for profit, experts" who come in (having NEVER > been in a classroom) to "FIX" the problem are doing > nothing more than collecting a paycheck. DOZENS > of "expert" companies have made millions off our district, > and they don't know what to do either. Fire me if you > want- but the idea that one can come in with a "one size > fits all" radical change model and fix the schools that > fail to make AYP is absolutely absurd. You can say that my > class is "the sea of unwanteds" -kids from broken > homes/parents in jail or dealing drugs/the typical 'ghetto > gang'...BUT...I'll be darned if I'm about to let some guy > in a suit and tie tell me that my kids are failures > because they didn't pass the State Test. They ARE > learning, and they WILL be productive members of society > if you let me do my job. I know my kids better than > the "experts" from the privatization companies. You will > have a hard time pulling this inner city teacher from her > post! I have goals for my kids, and NCLB is not going to > deter me from reaching those goals.So..the problem is that > NCLB wants to assign blame, move kids around the city in > search of the "magical" school, penalize teachers, > restructure...go ahead. > BTW- My school is a National Blue Ribbon School- more > proof that it doesn't matter WHERE your school is located- > they ALL have potential if you address the individual > needs of the school, and keep moving forward.

Jan 28, 2009

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