The no child left behind act, as noble as its intent, is nothing more then a socialistic policy that is quelling the flowing potential of today's youth. This policy is the most un-american concept that could be put into action. Instead of promoting individuality and the expansion of ones own potential it calls for the communistic principals of uniformity. I have my opinion on this act, but i would like to hear the opinions of others.
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Young Alaskans - Discussion » Issues » Education
The No Child Left Behind Act
(18 posts)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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I agree with the failing approach to educational "uniformity". Years ago, when this Act was passed, I was hyped up enough in high school to write my senior capstone on the subject, focusing on the test results of rural Alaskan schools compared to urban Alaskan schools to also rural Lower '48 schools.
The numbers will tell it all. Just log onto the State's Department of Education & Early Development website to see the scores: http://www.eed.state.ak.us/nclb/ click on "Alaska's Consolidated State Performance Reports".
It is obvious our nation still battles with inequality in most areas of our society. What hurts me the most is the disparity in our educational system in both rural and urban Alaska regarding the "success" and "failure" of each demographic group. I understand that legislators may wanted to raise or just plain set a bar on the basic concepts and comprehension of foundational areas when exiting high school, but they should have recognized the potential "repeted failures" of enabling such a uniform program. At least we have a numerical tracking system of any improvements, but those may be less apparant with the infastructure of the Act and it's failure to protect each district's discretion on their student learning programs.
My father is an assistant-superintendant at a predominately Yup'ik school district in Alaska, and we've sat down to discuss the so called benefits of the No Child Left Behind Act. From his 30 years as an educator, he finds it more detrimental to the learning development of students as well as the curriculum development of teachers. I can't speak for him, but that's what I've taken from it.
I just see so many problems in our educational system: how teacher turn-over rates are high in our state, how kids HATE yearly exams since they'll most likely fail, and how $$ towards education is a struggle.
The No Child Left Behind Act should have surely been defined by a phenominal increase of funding to all schools (more teachers, everyone has a textbook and a laptop, more new schools), increased teacher/educators/staff salaries, with tests taken only to see where more educational focus/ additional funding is needed for below-average schools.
Posted 1 year ago # -
With this act wasn't really useful as seen in my hometown, that my former High School became one drop-out factor and the staff,teachers and employee's did nothing to support this act as seeing of of my siblings not well enough to live on there own and have to adapt with no degree/diploma or GED and spends money only on rent and little food.As I would say teachers,staff need to get more invovled in the students life and help them graduate high school.
Posted 1 year ago # -
It comes down for the need of the system to promote the education that each individual student can handle and needs. not every person develops at the same rate, so why should students be forced to move through education at the same rate
Posted 1 year ago # -
I haven't seen much improvement or anything at all. It just seems like the act has made my school even more of a drop out factory -some people just arn't good test takers, so why should they have to go though another year of high school for a test?
that's what I think, knowing that I dont know as much about the act as I probably should...Posted 1 year ago # -
The reason that i am so strongly against this act, is because i was in the ELP (extended learning program) for several years starting in 5th grade. I gained more from this program then anything else in school, but the program was slowly cut until completely destroyed at the end of my middle school years. Now nobody is getting the benefits from this program. On top of that my 6th and 7th grade years instead of furthering my knowledge in math, i spent the periods the other students were learning math sitting in the teachers office doing origami. I have a lot of personal issues with this act...
Posted 1 year ago # -
charters and voucher programs are the future of education. Marx stated that free public education is one of the main contributing factors to a perfect communist society. Schools should made to compete and specialize. I'll make this posting short and wait for someone to reply, because I would like to make this a discussion.
Posted 1 year ago # -
you guys should also not think of the no child left behind act in your personal schools and see how "negative of a action it was" While i disagree with the idea of the no child left behind, national averages of school tests have increased. It wasnt the answer, but dont pretend it was the cause of the problem
Posted 1 year ago # -
Yes, the test averages have increased, but what importance is a test average? Does a test average help you perform in life? Does knowing the proper placement of a comma help solve the pending political and economic crisis? the answer is no. The current education system does not promote students to reach their full potential, that is a fact. If we look at the system that is centuries old, we quickly can spot the central issue. The fact that the forward movement within the system is based upon age and time instead of by achievement. A test is a worthless analytical tool that gives a surmise of the knowledge that an individual has on hand. I know that i personally would feel better as an employer having employees that know how to find and learn things that they don't know offhand then employees that have an encyclopedia memorized.
Beyond that the current system begins by teaching everyone to think alike then life demands for them to think differently. The system should be promoting the skills needed not worthless bull.
You are correct in the fact that this act is not the sole reason for the current state of affairs but it is a large contributor and is an example of the poor direction of the system.
Posted 1 year ago # -
the problem with public education is that it is a government run monopoly. if anyone doesnt know about voucher systems, look it up. it is like having all of the positives of private and specialized school without making everyone pay that. It will actually be cheaper to run that the current system
i hate the nclba, so dont worry, i believe all processes are systemic, and therefore there are many contributors to a failing system
if anyone wants a real good view of the education system, check this out
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<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/oMgz2W3taw8&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/oMgz2W3taw8&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>Posted 1 year ago #
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