Ch.5+resources

As a result of //A Nation At Risk//, our country reevaluated our education system. It is true that the United States is struggling to compete with the other developed nations of the world. The government’s solution was more testing, guidelines and regulations. I do think that schools need to be monitored and evaluated regularly to make sure they are educating our children to help them realize their potential. However, the level of testing and the financial ramifications of a failure to meet the testing standards have damaged our educational system. The school personnel and school boards are so focused on making Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) that they have neglected many social skills, important history and non-academic subjects in order to achieve that AYP. Other examples of wrong-headed initiatives packets of multiple choice test practice which have replaced are project-based learning and portfolios. Students may be learning facts at a higher level, but their problem solving and critical thinking skills are suffering. Businesses want individuals who can collaborate and brainstorm to achieve creative marketing ideas and who can demonstrate innovative problem-solving skills. These skills are being deemphasized and replaced with skills such as the process of elimination and using context clues, both of which are lower order thinking skills. Another issue with the standardized testing is the lack of regulations that are imposed on private schools. Private schools that do not receive state funding are exempt from the testing and funding regulations created by the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. If programs like vouchers are applied to private schools, then the testing and funding regulations need to be reevaluated. It is not practical to have only some schools’ funding tied to their performance. Larger school districts are trying to standardize their instruction and provide more scripted or “idiot proof” curricula that meet the state standards. These programs are limiting the teachers’ ability to differentiate or adapt lessons to their particular class and are stifling creativity on the part of teachers and students. As the year 2014 approaches, more and more schools are finding it difficult to meet the standards set by the Department of Education. This is particularly the case with special education students and English Language Learners. Overall, the idea of higher standards and more effective monitoring are essential elements in a successful educational system. The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001 seeks to achieve these goals, but the legislation is flawed in its implementation and regulations. Children are achieving more of the basic skills, but not the higher order thinking skills which are essential for a successful future workforce.
 * Chapter 5: Standards-Based Reform - Denise Alexander **