[NewsJunky]

On Monday GA became one of the first states to seek a waiver from the Federal Government . State Officials want to see schools rated on improvement instead of passing or failing under NCLB. They also want to include science, social studies and foreign languages rather than just math and reading in school evaluation. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

Link:
http://www.bizjourna...-change-in.html

[markdavd]

As long as a small subgroup of students can cause an entire school to 'fail', and as long as parents panic and refuse to understand how AYP really works, there will be problems with it.

There isn't enough detail in the article to make a judgment on the merits of what the state is asking, but on the surface, it sounds like an improvement.

[NewsJunky]

markdavd, on 15 November 2011 - 10:38 AM, said:

As long as a small subgroup of students can cause an entire school to 'fail', and as long as parents panic and refuse to understand how AYP really works, there will be problems with it.

There isn't enough detail in the article to make a judgment on the merits of what the state is asking, but on the surface, it sounds like an improvement.

It is better than leaving it as it is. I would like to see NCLB left in the dust. It has caused a lot of harm to the education system (and most of the children) in my opinion.

[gog8tors]

NewsJunky, on 15 November 2011 - 09:59 AM, said:

On Monday GA became one of the first states to seek a waiver from the Federal Government . State Officials want to see schools rated on improvement instead of passing or failing under NCLB. They also want to include science, social studies and foreign languages rather than just math and reading in school evaluation. Anyone have any thoughts about this?

Link:
http://www.bizjourna...-change-in.html

Didn't we just have the IBST? In SC they are wanting to move high performing students from their schools. They are wanting to move them to lower preforming schools. WTH is that going to accomplish? How bout the schools start looking at the teachers in these schools? What do teachers do that gets these kids excited about learning?

I understand including science, social studies, math, and English. But, what the heck is the point of foreign language in the measure? Both my older kids took the required languages, and have never used it since graduating. From what I have seen (not just with my own kids) these foreign language classes should be extra curricular. After all when kids have to waste time in college because they couldn't get algebra, maybe they could've used the foreign language time to take an extra math in high school.

[NewsJunky]

gog8tors, on 17 November 2011 - 04:13 PM, said:

Didn't we just have the IBST? In SC they are wanting to move high performing students from their schools. They are wanting to move them to lower preforming schools. WTH is that going to accomplish? How bout the schools start looking at the teachers in these schools? What do teachers do that gets these kids excited about learning?

I understand including science, social studies, math, and English. But, what the heck is the point of foreign language in the measure? Both my older kids took the required languages, and have never used it since graduating. From what I have seen (not just with my own kids) these foreign language classes should be extra curricular. After all when kids have to waste time in college because they couldn't get algebra, maybe they could've used the foreign language time to take an extra math in high school.

They may have the idea that high performing kids should help teach students who are performing poorly. Seems to be the thing lately.

Are you thinking of the ITBS?

[gog8tors]

NewsJunky, on 17 November 2011 - 05:19 PM, said:

They may have the idea that high performing kids should help teach students who are performing poorly. Seems to be the thing lately.

Are you thinking of the ITBS?

Yes, that's what I meant. I don't remember having any other testing when I was in school. I also don't remember my two older kids having more then the ITBS either.

I'm thinking if my high performing kid is doing the teacher's job then my kid should get the teacher's pay.

[Nice Green]

The 100-percent "meets" standard in NCLB isn't going to be hit in your typical school, not when you're counting all students with disabilities and even when you have students that could be average or better that aren't getting the support at home (physical abuse, inattentive or uncaring parents). That's one of the big problems of NCLB.

[Greatma]

NewsJunky, on 17 November 2011 - 05:19 PM, said:

They may have the idea that high performing kids should help teach students who are performing poorly. Seems to be the thing lately.

Are you thinking of the ITBS?

This sounds like the so called AP classes in the middle school now. They put the students that make good on the CRCT(here we go again with that). Ok now a lot of these students are failing. I understand
they will be pulled out. The teachers are having to do small groups to try to help these kids pass. This
is not right for the so called venture kids that are having to do busy work while they do their small goups.

[fishnthec]

I don't understand why we don't track kids individually. If each child was given regular evaluations to monitor their progress that would work. Then you could actually judge schools by progress not pass or fail. There are way to many factors in the current NCLB that can cause a negative performance rating for the schools. If you really don't want to leave anyone behind you have to start where they are at and evaluate them on their own progress. Of course the best way to do this is to put kids with kids that are on the same learning level, but people would not be happy with that either.

[JerryLovedLSU]

fishnthec, on 18 November 2011 - 08:33 AM, said:

I don't understand why we don't track kids individually. If each child was given regular evaluations to monitor their progress that would work. Then you could actually judge schools by progress not pass or fail. There are way to many factors in the current NCLB that can cause a negative performance rating for the schools. If you really don't want to leave anyone behind you have to start where they are at and evaluate them on their own progress. Of course the best way to do this is to put kids with kids that are on the same learning level, but people would not be happy with that either.

I still haven't figured out why it's so important to NOT leave them behind.

[fishnthec]

JerryLovedLSU, on 18 November 2011 - 08:58 AM, said:

I still haven't figured out why it's so important to NOT leave them behind.

LOL...you know you're right. There are some people that are slower (and faster) than others. Why not train/teach them where they are at instead of making everyone mediocre?

[NewsJunky]

fishnthec, on 18 November 2011 - 08:33 AM, said:

I don't understand why we don't track kids individually. If each child was given regular evaluations to monitor their progress that would work. Then you could actually judge schools by progress not pass or fail. There are way to many factors in the current NCLB that can cause a negative performance rating for the schools. If you really don't want to leave anyone behind you have to start where they are at and evaluate them on their own progress. Of course the best way to do this is to put kids with kids that are on the same learning level, but people would not be happy with that either.

It will never happen but I agree with you.

[NewsJunky]

fishnthec, on 18 November 2011 - 09:01 AM, said:

LOL...you know you're right. There are some people that are slower (and faster) than others. Why not train/teach them where they are at instead of making everyone mediocre?

They will have the choice of career paths in high school soon and I think this will help the students to choose courses they can better succeed in.

[haolejohn]

fishnthec, on 18 November 2011 - 09:01 AM, said:

LOL...you know you're right. There are some people that are slower (and faster) than others. Why not train/teach them where they are at instead of making everyone mediocre?

This should be happening.

[haolejohn]

Just curious...How many here have ever spent time in a classroom? More than a hour at a time? Education of a child has three components...The child...the parents...and the teacher, in that order. I'm all for progress...I honestly believe that standardized testing is destroying the education system as well as lack of accountability on all parties involved.

[luna si]

gog8tors, on 17 November 2011 - 04:13 PM, said:

Didn't we just have the IBST? In SC they are wanting to move high performing students from their schools. They are wanting to move them to lower preforming schools. WTH is that going to accomplish?

Isn't that what is happening now with the redistricting of our middle schools?

[gog8tors]

luna si, on 16 December 2011 - 07:38 PM, said:

Isn't that what is happening now with the redistricting of our middle schools?

No, the redistricting is because of the new middle school, it should be opening next school year.

[fishnthec]

haolejohn, on 13 December 2011 - 08:57 PM, said:

Just curious...How many here have ever spent time in a classroom? More than a hour at a time? Education of a child has three components...The child...the parents...and the teacher, in that order. I'm all for progress...I honestly believe that standardized testing is destroying the education system as well as lack of accountability on all parties involved.

I have spent the last 12 years of my life in classrooms, and standardized testing DOES NOT work for the purposes that is currently used for. I will also say that having parents involved has it's ups and downs. It would be nice to be able to reach a parent when there is a problem and to know that the parent is going to back the teacher when he/she needs it. The downside is that a lot of parent involvement is negative. It does not help anyone for the parents to be so involved that they want to challenge the teachers teaching and classroom procedures. My parents were not involved unless they were called upon. If they got a call though, it was not fun for me!! I am not saying that parents should only get involved when there are problems but it would definitely be nice for the teachers to know that someone had their backs for something other than sticking a knife it. JMO

[The Sound Guy]

JerryLovedLSU, on 18 November 2011 - 08:58 AM, said:

I still haven't figured out why it's so important to NOT leave them behind.

Agreed.

Instead of trying to take our best and working to make them world class, we spend all our energy trying to make everyone the same when it's clearly true that everyone is NOT the same. We NEED that 1% who can innovate.

I've always said that the goal should be to help each child be the best they CAN be, not frustrate them trying to make them into something they are not.

JMHO