No Child Left Behind

1. No Child Left Behind Cristina Marzello, Lindsey Olechna. BriannLafty, Megan Wallace, Mary Byrne

2. Group Activity • Break into 3 groups • Each group will be given an article to analyze • Group test • Review results

3. Pros of No Child Left Behind • “No Child Will Be Left Behind -- Not One Single Child,” - George W. Bush (Waiting for Superman, 2010) • “I understand taking tests aren’t fun, too bad, we need to know in America, we need to know whether the children have a basic education” - George W. Bush (Waiting for Superman, 2010) • All schools by law must maintain standards that refelect excellence to provide the highest quality of education for all children • Easier to identify failing schools through nationwide or statewide standardized tests • Good scores is rewarded with more state funding to build on the schools program • Emphasis on implementing "scientific-based research” to promote change

4. Positive Outcomes • Student test scores have been increasing, particularly minority students • The achievement gap between minority students and white majority has decreased between 1999 and 2004. • Now, 90 of classes nationwide are being taught by a “highly qualified teacher.” • Nearly 450,000 students have obtained necessary free educational services, such as tutoring or public school choice. • Regular testing helps identify students who may require additional educational services to reach grade level proficiency. • The amount of schools nationwide who have met their AYP has increased.

5. Cons of No Child Left Behind • Schools show a strong emphasis in only math and reading • Subjects such as, social studies and science, are not taught • Many children are pushed through the system • Teacher focus on quantity, instead of quality information • Many teachers are “teaching to the test” and this has become the main focus of classroom activity • Many teachers are not focusing on actually teaching the students, but rather their test scores • Schools that do not meet expectations loose funding • Loss of funding results in some schools being unable to complete proper documentation and administer the tests

6. Cons of No Child Left Behind (Cont.) • “These summative test provide large scale data, which are overly relied upon by policy makers, while not being particularly useful to classroom teachers. Nor are they particularly designed for assessing inquiry science,” (Harlan & Rivkin, 2008). • According to Waiting for Superman, NCLB was implemented to strengthen reading scores, however, the scores have been at a flat line since 1971.

7. Obama’s Position http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1iKugDxFoU

8. Works Cited NCLB and the Effects of Standardized Testing . (2011, January 16). Retrieved February 10, 2012, from Youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f1iKugDxFoU Begos, K. (2012, February 9). No Child Left Behind Waivers: Some States Stay with Education Law, Cite Politics. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from Huffington Post: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/10/some-states-stay-with-edu_0_n_1267859.html?ref=education CTV. (2008). Care to Vote 08: Getting Smart About Getting Smart. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from Carelton: http://www.carleton.edu/departments/educ/vote/pages/Pros_and-Cons.html Guggenheim, D. (Director). (2010). Waiting For Superman [Motion Picture]. Harlan, J., & Rivkin, M. (2008). Science Experiences for The Early Childhood Years: an Integrated Affective Approach. Upper Saddle River: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall. Landler, M. (2011, November 8). Headstart is Given New Rules for Grants. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from New York Times: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/09/us/politics/obama-announces-stricter-financing-standards-for-head-start.html?_r=1&hp NCLB. (n.d.). Is Your Child Being Left Behind. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from School Supplies & Teacher Resources for No Child Left Behind: http://www.nochildleftbehind.com/ Teachers Count. (2011). No Child Left Behind. Retrieved February 10, 2012, from Teachers Count: Learn a Thing or Two: http://teacherscount.org/issues/nochild/index.shtml#for