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NCLB Chatboard

I Need Some Help!

by Jeffery

Jul 25, 2008

Hello World,

I am a teacher in Chicago working on his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. A step in this process is taking a Research class. I am currently doing my research on the arts and how teachers integrate into their curriculum. I have created a survey, that if you would be so kind to take, would help me immensely. It only contai...See More

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I Need Some Help!

by Jeffery

Jul 25, 2008

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Standardized Tests and NCLB/Dumbing down education

by Lea

Jul 25, 2008

How have the standardized tests that are required for NCLB changed the way you teach or the way curriculum is managed in your school district? I know that in our state, the tests have very low standards, but since the kids have to pass it, that is all the core teachers teach. Since I am not a core teacher, I feel like a "forgotten child" and don't ...See More

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Lea I have made my feelings known about the exam thing since the beginning. Even some of the core teachers are against it since it inflates the grade and a student moves to the next level based on such a low state score. We have multiple choice questions only; they are repetitive and require rote memorization only. Higher level thinking skills have gon...See MoreI have made my feelings known about the exam thing since the beginning. Even some of the core teachers are against it since it inflates the grade and a student moves to the next level based on such a low state score. We have multiple choice questions only; they are repetitive and require rote memorization only. Higher level thinking skills have gone by the wayside and colleges are stating that they have to remediate students who do have a diploma and passed the state tests because they don't really have creative or higher level thinking skills. I am just glad that within the next decade, I can retire. I would like to make a difference in education and rally teachers for change, but I don't see that happening since every state has different tests with different standards. The only thing we seem to have in common is competing for the federal dollars based on the test scores. I agree that more math and literacy skills are being incorporated into other subject areas, but I also think that we are omitting the skills that would be taught in those other areas b/c we are trying to incorporate basics skills for passing the test.

The questions aren't getting any easier; they weren't that hard to begin with since they are multiple choice. But when enough kids don't pass it with the current standard, the standard is lowered so more will pass and the federal dollars will continue to flow into the state's coffers and on to the local districts.

I used to enjoy teaching; now it is just my job.

Lea

On 7/25/08, Kim/AR/math wrote: > On 7/25/08, Lea wrote: >> How have the standardized tests that are required for NCLB >> changed the way you teach or the way curriculum is managed >> in your school district? > > > > I think since we are hitting a plateau with AYP, we are > seeing more and more math and literacy skills being > incorporated into lesson plans throughout the school. eg. > The art teacher does art lessons with Fibonacci sequence. > > I think teachers are paying more attention to the state > standards instead of just teaching what is in the textbook. > > >> I know that in our state, the >> tests have very low standards, but since the kids have to >> pass it, that is all the core teachers teach. > > > I'm not sure I follow what you are saying here. In our state > the standard for passing the state test seems to be getting > lower and lower, as well. But, the test questions themselves > aren't any easier - just a lower cut score. So, we are still > trying to teach higher order thinking skills within our > state frameworks. > > > > >> Since I am >> not a core teacher, I feel like a "forgotten child" and >> don't feel important at all. During the testing window, >> students are pulled out of class constantly, so lessons are >> impossible to plan and teach. > > > In our school, all teachers are needed to administer the > test. So, students are not pulled from non-core classes - > there are no classes meeting during that time. > > >> The low standards really >> bother me. We have scores that show that the kids can pass >> and only answer 25 out of 60 questions correct. Then, the >> tests are counted as the exam grade, and kids who pass get >> an automatic "A". Talk about dumbing down education! What >> do the rest of you think? > > > It bothers me to that less than 50% can be considered > passing. That is the case with my state as well. > > Our state test contains open response questions, so we do do > not get the results back in time to include these as part of > the students' grade. I think that giving students an A when > only correctly answering 50% of the questions is wrong. Have > you made your feelings on this known to the principal?

Jul 26, 2008

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competing for federal dollars Each state gets to set there own standards. Then the schools compete, COmparisons of AYP naturally follow. What a bunch of Bll! Since states set their own standards there is a huge difference between the toughest and the easiest states.

In one state you have 70 percent pass rate, but only about 25% passing a national test, while in a stat...See More

Aug 3, 2008

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teachers need to stand up together

by NJ teacher

Jul 30, 2008

Hello,

We as teachers across this nation need to stand up together and go down to Washington or wherever and tell them what this so called education these children are receiving are a joke! NCLB is terrible!! It's unrealistic and putting great deal of pressure on teachers is not fair. We do not get paid enough to do it on our own. Where is...See More

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Tessa- FL On 10/21/08, Kim/AR/math wrote: > On 10/20/08, Jane wrote: >> You don't know why kids in american public schools >> should not be expected to be >> on grade level? >> >> Try: hungry, water was cut off and need a bath, don't >> speak english, has a 70 IQ, has a 60 IQ, has a 50 IQ, >> has a 40 IQ, has a 30...See MoreOn 10/21/08, Kim/AR/math wrote: > On 10/20/08, Jane wrote: >> You don't know why kids in american public schools >> should not be expected to be >> on grade level? >> >> Try: hungry, water was cut off and need a bath, don't >> speak english, has a 70 IQ, has a 60 IQ, has a 50 IQ, >> has a 40 IQ, has a 30 IQ, has Autism and is blind, has >> attachment disorder and is mute, (can't DIBEL if you >> are mute) has ADHD and OCD, dad's beats them, uncle >> abuses them , Has c/p and autism, any number of reasons >> why Johnny should not be pressured to be on grade level >> but rather have an individual plan and be taught to >> their strenghts not their weaknesses, many WILL learn >> to read, just not at the pace some idiot in Washington >> mandates. Oh an individual plan, isn't that called an >> IEP. duh >> > > > I was not referring to special ed students, and I don't > think the post I commented on was referring to sped > students either. > > As far as the other issues you mentioned, I understand > that these are issues that hinder learning. But I still > think students should be expected to perform on grade > level. If a student can not perform 6th grade work, then > he shouldn't be in 6th grade. > > So, what if everyone is allowed to be taught to their > strenghts, not according to grade level? What do you > suggest for those students who end up in 12th grade only > reading at a 6th grade level? Do they get a high schol > diploma? > > > You mentioned "the pace some idiot in Washington > mandates". As far as I know, Washington is not setting > the standards. Each state sets their curriculum. The state > then creates assessments (with the help of testing > companies) and determines proficiency levels.

This sort of thinking is why we have 5th graders that chronologically should be 8th graders. In title 1 world, these kids will never catch up. Do we hold them back forever? When we hold them back, their behavior disrupts the learning of the other kids because they've given up. And don't get me started on SPED: every year my district makes it harder and harder to get kids the help they need because they want to save $$$. We have to pass them on, and the teacher does his/her best to teach at their level.

Kim, in your world holding back may be reasonable, but in mine it isn't. Once they give up on themselves, there's nothing more we can do for them. It's sad, but true. Every teacher I work with that's been around awhile has students that ended up in jail, selling drugs, even double-homicide. These kids don't give a flippity-floppity-flue about their future. We can't retain them every year.

Oct 21, 2008

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Kim/AR/math On 10/21/08, Tessa- FL wrote: > > This sort of thinking is why we have 5th graders that > chronologically should be 8th graders. In title 1 world, these > kids will never catch up. Do we hold them back forever? When we > hold them back, their behavior disrupts the learning of the > other kids because they've given up. And don't ge...See More

Oct 21, 2008

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Mandatory summer school

by AYP rates

Aug 3, 2008

If the government is SO serious about students who are behind getting extra help. Why don't they just require all students who don't pass the test to be required to attend school during the summer and I'm not talking about for a couple of weeks either. I am talking about two extra months of schooling.

If we are serious about these kids cat...See More

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Tessa- FL On 8/08/08, Kim/AR/math wrote:

> > Alternative Learning Environment... Some schools use it for students who > can't control their behavior in a normal classroom setting, pregnant > students, students who are way below grade level, a GED class, etc > > >

Thanks for the definition. This seems to be the way to ...See More

Aug 8, 2008

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OP We have the same situation. ALE doesn't begin until 8th grade and then we have to fight for every position we can get. (We share with 6 other schools.) The waiting list is very long.

This is also one of the reasons that I recommend having mandatory summerschool for students who don't pass the test. Automatically everyone in the program wil...See More

Aug 17, 2008

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NCLB/Poor Teacher Training=End of Gifted Education?

by Teachers.Net

Aug 5, 2008

Click below for an important article examining the effect upon gifted and talented education of NCLB and lack of teacher training.

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Tessa- FL On 8/05/08, Teachers.Net wrote: > Click below for an important article examining the effect > upon gifted and talented education of NCLB and lack of > teacher training.

Great article, thanks for posting. I can't believe gifted isn't a subgroup. No, on second thought I *can* because it shows you that NCLB wasn't created by educator...See More

Aug 6, 2008

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Maybe you could help?

by Jeffery

Aug 7, 2008

Hello World, I am a teacher in Chicago working on his Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. A step in this process is taking a Research class. I am currently doing my research on the arts and how teachers integrate into their curriculum. I have created a survey, that if you would be so kind to take, would help me immensely. It only contains 8 mult...See More

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Education Discussed on Oprah Today

by educator

Aug 7, 2008

Might be interesting! Guests include Bill and Melinda Gates.

Thanks!

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Reading with phonics

by Katie Silva

Aug 21, 2008

Does anyknow know what the latest hype is on teaching first graders to read?...are more schools going back to using phonics?

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To John Rogers I would not want MY child in your class if this is how you treat someone when they make a mistake.

On 8/21/08, Rude with a capital R! wrote: > On 8/21/08, John Rogers wrote: >> On 8/21/08, Katie Silva wrote: >>> Does anyknow know what the latest hype is on teaching >>> first graders to read?...are more schools g...See More

Aug 29, 2008

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Sharon There is a lot of stress in this thread. Maybe we need to take a deep breath and support each other rather than find fault. I believe that phonics is a worthwhile way to teach. Gay Su Pinnell and Irene C. Fountas present a phonics program which offers lots of diagnostics and some pretty good lessons. Phonics was the way when teaching was focused on...See More

Oct 8, 2008

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CSET Multiple Subject Exam

by Rosslyn P.

Aug 28, 2008

Has anyone taken and passed the CSET? If so, please share any tips and study materials.

Thanks!

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CSET grad 08 I took the CSET and passed all three. The best advice I can give you is take one at a time and do not buy the cset books. My friend failed all three and studied. I refused to look at the books and passed with 4 ++++ all the way.

GOOD LUCK

Sep 29, 2008

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passed all three in one sitting no studying This test should require no studying unless you are slightly academically deficient. If you are not the strongest student academically then you should know which areas you are weak in and study those and take those subtests singly. If you are an academically strong and well-rounded student, you can pass all three in one sitting with no studying. Th...See More

Oct 2, 2008

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