The war has nothing to do with nclb.
The "tests" don't reflect what has been taught, first of all.
Why not? A world history class should cover Greece and Rome. Does the test also cover this?
the motivation of the teachers in Bush's State of Texas to teach and cheat to the test was all about fear.
What does that have to do with discussing your situation in NM?
The fact that the companies who produce such tests, mandate the curriculum at large?
Do they? Give examples. Is a sample test available online?
If you are told that child (a) must know fact (1) by day 100......you should be given the proper assessments to test that child and thus drive the instruction for that child to reach that goal.
The way it is now......the assessments don't connect with the curriculum and the results are practically invalid...at least they would be invalid if those points were votes!
If Greece is covered in chapter 3 i would suspect that questions about Greece are valid on the test. Is this not the case?
Why not just teach fact(1) to kid (a) before day 100?
Bt,
Once again, I just spent a chunk of time replying to your post here, and with a sudden click of a button, it all disappeared. Damn.
Ok...well, let me try to get all of that hard work out in a nutshell...
The tests we give do not align with the Math programs overall. Currently, that is the only area where there is a problem
The programs that are basically being mandated across the country, particularly in the NCLB,READING FIRST schools are trying to play catch up with the tests or vise versa, so I have a bit of hope; but in the area of Math they are not aligned at all. The tests assess behaviorists thinking--algorithms and the programs teach constructivist approach...mathematical thinking strategies etc. ...Both the tests makers and the curriculum drivers (text companies) seem to be making some money. The way the system is set up in NCLB, there is a govenment mandate to teach what the government has decided is research based. All well and fine, but who's in charge of alignment?
In reading, there is not a problem as I see it. But, teachers are instructed to teach within a certain time limit using a scripted program. We are stepford teachers now....(some good things about that...some bad). As it is now, there is little or no freedom to teach children at their own reading level...it's sink or swim......So, until the districts, administrators start changing the way they mandate time contraints on teachers, so we can individualize instruction the way we used to do it, children will have to sink. The program is designed to teach all the children at once.
For a primary grade that is unreasonable and in the end the tests will reflect failure because of the such restrictions....not necesarrily the program itself. In the past we differentiated instruction to meet the needs of all the children. We were able to do it all pretty well. Kids learned to read, write, equate...construct..etc.
The system wasn't broken back then...
Another problem; The SBA tests (standardized tests) are given at the end of Feb. and yet we still have several months left of school to teach the very skill/information that will be on that test. How is that equitable and balanced?
But, in the end schools will be reprimanded for not bringing the those very tests scores up!!
Texas is one example of a system that has had to face the music, but theyended up doing the 'bad thing'...they cheated. I would hate to see that happen to us.
Clinton for prez?
At least someone is going to attack the failures of NCLB (at least I hope she isn't telling a lie!).
SHe brought up a need for more early childhood education in the link I provided the other day. That statement alone gave me hope)
Education isn't only about test scores. It's about teaching the child her/his level. Children can all be taught, as education is not only and art, it is a science...
The weak links of the NCLB have made it into a race! The children are being pressured like never before.
These days children are tested too much.
I say assess to find out how to drive instruction...not test and test again to find out how badly a school is performing.
Sure, if a teacher does not have the skill or the knowledge to teach...and he/she is in it for the big bucks! ha...then fire her/his butt.
Teachers Unions have been responsible for the perpetuation bad teaching as well, I think. There are some good reasons why we need the Union, sure. But overall, bad teachers keep going and going and going...and that is par for the course in any field, is it not?
By the by.....NCLB will probably be around for a long time. The system is actually working in some areas and for the most part it has it's good points.
But, I say, and have been saying. stop punishing good teaching and good teachers. You say that those teachers who are being punished deserve to be.....assuming they are all bad teachers. Not necessarily, BT. (as I pointed out in the post about the High School exemplary scores)
Which candidate will help to make significant adjustments to the broken bell?
Who knows?
Raise a child////Village...makes sense to me. I like Obama, however.....let's see.
Bush certainly hasn't really helped with the entire process.
Kennedy probably had a better idea to begin with. Who knows what part Bush played in teh whole thing.
online tests?
I can't find actual tests on line, bt..but I will try to get those for you.
