[. . .]
This is a legitimate ground for criticism of this lousy law, but no one has really gone into the real core problems with this law. It is mandated federal testing, when control of the schools are supposed to be a state and local affair. It is also just another test to teach to. Wanna know why kids arrive in college with absolutely no critical thinking skills? Mandatory testing. Teachers break up information into little test-sized bits. None of the information is presented holistically, without any sense that there are connections within a discipline much less that there are connections between disciplines. This isn't education, it's atomized information.
[. . .]
This has been the dumbest thing since the stupid tracking experiments they did with us in the '60s here in NY. I was in the advanced track and for two years, they put us in with the special ed kids. They figured we'd learn from each other. I learned to understand the difficulties folks with disabilities have, but I'm afraid we left them in the dust. I doubt they got anything out of the experience but feelings of inadequacy.
I have quite a few teachers as customers, and a kid who used to work for us is now a principal. None, and I mean none, of 'em have anything nice to say about NCLB. It failed in Houston and it's failing nationwide. NCLB is doing our children a great disservice.
No comments:
Post a Comment