I don't know how it is in other states and/or cities, but in Miami, "No Child Left Behind", is leaving children behind.
In my local high school students are required to pass the FCAT ( floridas standarized test). Needless to say, a plethora of students can't pass it. They end up taking it contless times, and all classes in high school revolve around passing this test.
I passed, and I didn't find it difficult at all, however, in my classes we never focused on passing the test, we focused on understanding key concepts to further your success in college.
The majority of kids who take these tests and fail become frusturated with the school system, and unfortunately drop out of school. How effective is this program implemented by Bush?
The educatin should be taught in a college understanding, that is, teachers shouldn't have their main focus on the standarized tests, but on teaching concepts nad study tips to be succesful in college, and with that comes success in the standarized testing.
Another issue that bothes me concerning this is that, teachers and administration believe that they can "cram" for these tests, however it is not possible. They give extra work right before the test dates, but either you know the material or not. Simple. The work administered should be given years prior to these tests to ensure theses concepts are being grasped and understood; the students should have time to proces the information and not simply memorize things, but be able to fully understand them and apply it to the "real world".
With all this in mind, President Bush should restrategize.
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I entirely agree. Our schools have transformed so that the students are learning how to take tests, not learn the material. It’s creating a society of uneducated individuals who lack the creativity to think beyond a multiple choice exam. Where will we be when these students are the ones running the world?
With all this in mind, President Bush should restrategize.
Or 'restrategerize,' as our president would actually put it.
But, yeah. The focus of curriculum in today's schools needs to shift away from state standardized tests and more toward college. To be blunt, if the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) is any example, standardized testing will not ready anyone properly for college.
And me? The TAKS is so easy for me, I draw pictures on and in the booklets just to piss away the mandated two-hours that we have to have the test in front of us for.
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Tsukurimashou; tsukurimashou
sate sate nani ga dekiru ka na.
Hai! Dekimashita!
If you can translate that on your own, you have my undying respect.
I wish I could watch Azumanga Daioh. T_T
I think everybody, including teachers are pretty much sick of this act! I wrote to a state Rep, and he even told me he isn't very fond of it!! Imagine that! My teacher told me that she knows of other teachers that are so disgusted by this act, that they quit!
I talked about similar frustrations in my blog : http://www.progressiveu.org/173750-no-child-left-behind
Check it out, hope to talk to you!
(Ps. Is it really strange that although I was never involved in politics, I am now debating on whether to get into them some day so I can stand up for kids and all this foolishness?)
I agree. The education system has changed. It's disgusting what our education has converted into.
It's hard to do the test. I know loads of my friends have the credits to finish high school but can't pass the exam to graduate. The EXLT exam was not here a few years ago. I think the teacher and many people should help students way a head of time before the actual testing. Many should help students in their senior year to get use to college. There just not much help out there.