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NCLB Chatboard

Spec. Ed. Teachers/Merit Pay/NCLB

by Ugly Knees

Dec 14, 2008

Where I teach, NCLB is the Bible. My good friend is a Spec. Ed. teacher and a darn good one, I might add. She works like a dog until around 6 p.m. at night.

Anyhoo, in our school we have only pull out students, thanks to the Florida Legislature and Jeb Bush (running for Senate). My friend did not receive Merit Pay because a child with Dow...See More

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Tessa- FL It's not fair to anyone. I have kids with parents in jail, wacked out on drugs, the whole nine yards. How are they going to progress 1 year? Merit pay is stupid. All teachers work hard. If there is extra money lying around, spread it equally to all the teachers.

Dec 21, 2008

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Testing/NCLB/ Benchmarks/teaching to the test

by Vicky

Dec 29, 2008

I have a question. How has testing made teaching better or worse? What are resources you feel you would keep even if students were not tested?

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Di I've been in my system for over 23 yrs now & we have NEVER had recess built into our day. As an individual teacher, you are allowed to take your kids out for 15 min./day only. In some schools they are not allowed to go out as neighborhood too dangerous.

Aug 13, 2009

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TerriF I think I'm a much better teacher due to the amount of training. However, I have huge issues with the amount of curriculum being shoved at the students. They aren't given the amount of time to master a skill because the year now has 3 times as many skills (especially in math) to learn. My first graders are being required to add and subtract with re...See More

Nov 7, 2009

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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 t...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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Gifted Children and NCLB

by Mollie

Jan 29, 2009

All of my children have been in the GATE program in our District for many years. The first few years, our GATE program was a pull-out program three times a year where our students were bused to the District Office for one week enrichment classe. My children still use the skills that they learned in 3rd grade in the GATE program. Due to funding, the...See More

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Eliminate it!

by Bud

Feb 5, 2009

My post on this board from a three decade veteran with a modicum of success is - eliminate this monster!

It has gutted the love of learning, created a sterile, test-driven culture in schools, and destroyed creativity and higher level thinking.

The underlying premise of the law is noble and with it I agree. But this emphasis on te...See More

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Won't happen until Ted Kennedy kicks the bucket On 2/05/09, Bud wrote: > My post on this board from a three decade veteran with a > modicum of success is - eliminate this monster! > > It has gutted the love of learning, created a sterile, > test-driven culture in schools, and destroyed creativity and > higher level thinking. > > The underlying premise of the law is noble ...See More

Feb 16, 2009

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emma Very well put, Bud!! I have told my husband that if our Reading First school gets a grant extension for another 3 years I will quit or go somewhere else. I used to love teaching and now I am in a constant state of exhaustion and depression. Thank you, George Bush and Ted Kennedy for making me hate going to work. I soo dislike politicians. Teddy Ken...See More

Apr 25, 2009

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Sylvan Learning centers

by Tuesday

Feb 5, 2009

Question about Sylvan Learning Centers - they get a large majority of money grants from NCLB.

The one I work at has always had problems - very disorganized management, lack of materials, not getting paid, student turnover, teacher turnover.

Anyway the one I work at is floundering financially - I still am owed money from last Fall....See More

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No Child Left Behind

by Sarah

Feb 16, 2009

Hi Bud, I'm Sarah. I agree totally. We need to eliminate it. It has changed the entire course of our education system in a negative way.

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NCLB should address school discipline, school paddling

by georgian

Feb 18, 2009

some of you may think I am off my rocker, but I firmly believe that NCLB and IDEA for that matter should have a provision on corporal punishment. We have paddling in my states and in some cases, children are being harmed and left behind.

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Ed I've been a long time believer that it has probably caused more harm that any want to admit. Kids today are different. They consider it as an assault and the more intelligent just can't accept it and anything else. I've know of some very high I.Q.'s that just shut down and quit after their beating.

On 2/18/09, georgian wrote: > some of...See More

Mar 3, 2009

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Tom The subject of corporal punishment in school should be addressed by the boards of education. Corporal punishment is ineffective as a means of changing behavior but it is not in the realm of NCLB or IDEA.

Apr 13, 2009

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Testing is outragous, but so are some of the standards!

by Terri F.

Feb 23, 2009

Could we please get a handle on the standards that are being required of these kids. 2nd graders in my state now have to do division! Unbelievable! I believe in a strong set of standards, but reaslistic ones.

Terri F. 1st grade CA

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FCAT worries

by Megan

Mar 7, 2009

Is anyone else having nightmares about FCAT scores? I am really worried about it coming up next week. I have followed the focus calendar but still worry about how my kids will do. I have stressed the importance of a good night sleep as well as eating a good breakfast. Is it just me or does anyone else feel almost nauseated from this test? I think p...See More

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Kinder Gal I, like you, am getting very tired of getting chewed because my kids are not "up to par." Like you, I am NOT responsible for student attendance, where students come in just in time for lunch or leave shortly after lunch. Shopping trips are more important than school. I am NOT responsible for kids who do not get supper or breakfast, nor am I respons...See MoreI, like you, am getting very tired of getting chewed because my kids are not "up to par." Like you, I am NOT responsible for student attendance, where students come in just in time for lunch or leave shortly after lunch. Shopping trips are more important than school. I am NOT responsible for kids who do not get supper or breakfast, nor am I responsible for kids who come to school tired because there was too much partying or celebrating the night before. I am NOT responsible for students NOT doing their homework. Why should I knock myself out trying to get kids to learn when they refuse to lift a pencil and do their OWN work? UGH THEN WHY is so much pressure put on teachers? WHY should I suffer sleepless nights or high blood pressure due to the stress.

On 3/07/09, Megan wrote: > Is anyone else having nightmares about FCAT scores? I am > really worried about it coming up next week. I have > followed the focus calendar but still worry about how my > kids will do. I have stressed the importance of a good > night sleep as well as eating a good breakfast. Is it just > me or does anyone else feel almost nauseated from this > test? I think part of the reason is because we as teachers > know how this test can affect our teaching careers. How > sad it is to know that one test will be used to determine > if I have taught well or not. I know that it all depends > on how a child feels the day of the test. In addition, > some kids just don't test well. Regardless, I will be > judged by how all of my kids do on ONE test. RIDICULOUS!!! > GET RID OF THE FCAT.....IT DOES NOT PROVE THAT A TEACHER > HAS DONE HIS OR HER JOB. > Perfect example, I had a child come to school with gum in > his hair, very upset. Do you think he did well? NO! Was > that my fault? NO! > What about the student that does not get enough sleep > because mom/dad lets them stay up all hours of the night? > Is that my fault? Absolutely not!!! > Parents need to take some ownership with this test. There > is WAY too much emphasis placed on the teacher as to why a > student did not pass. GET REAL!!! > Sorry I just had to vent.

Mar 17, 2009

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Phippsburg I'm so glad that other people are writing about this! It's been driving me crazy. I'm on vacation now and just got an email from the secretary at my school saying that the principal wanted to meet with me Monday about my test scores from last year. This was the year that I had one of the worst class combinations that I've ever had---teachers were l...See More

Aug 6, 2009

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