NCLB

The upcomming election is rapidly approaching, and as the days are counting down the real issues have come to the forefront. As a future teacher, and a current student, Education has become a primary issue and concern on my part. Early on in President Bush's term, he implimented the "No Child Left Behind" act. The goal was to subject students around the country to national assesments to test the indivudal's level of reading, math, and science skills in comparison the rest of the country. The goal was intended by the year 2014 for every child to meet a standard of reading and math scores on the assesment tests. A seemingly good idea; however, the program, although good in theory was never properly funded or carried out.


A question that has been raised for the upcomming election has been whether to revise or removed the current policy in place. After listening to both canidates on this issue, I must admit, my opinions reside with Senator Obama. In his speech regarding NCLB Act, he says:
"The assessment tools are inadaquate to measure a child's comprehension level. Although I do believe in setting a high standard, children reach their benchmark of high standards throughout different points in their education. The NCLB policy must be revised to form a growth model, to track a students progress. Instead of penalizing schools and teachers for not having students meeting a high standard, instead provide them the tools and resources needed to improve test scores. To recieve funding, progress must be made every year."

After hearing Senator Obama's comments on this issue, I happen to agree. I think we all can agree that the status quo of education in the United States is not acceptable. Test scores are at an all time low. Forcing children to reach a standard at the same point in their lives is an impossible task to attempt to accomplish. Ask anyone with more than one child and they will tell you that no two children reach the same peak in benchmark at the same time. I believe that these tests undermine the quality of educaution and promote superficial educaution goals that prevent real learning from progressing.

It should be abolished and a new growth model set into place so that schools and teachers can recieve funding and resources to ensure that ever child is truly never left behind.