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"A new federal study shows that nearly a third of the states lowered their academic proficiency standards in recent years, a step that helps schools stay ahead of sanctions under the No Child Left Behind law. But lowering standards also confuses parents about how children’s achievement compares with those in other states and countries."
I have to say I'm shocked that FL isn't among those which lowered the standards. I can only conclude that that's because nobody in the state DOE knew how to read them.
MD redid the tests for this past year, especially the Government one, and instituted a couple of alternative options (a combined score for all four or projects). Which is what I predicted several years ago, the pilot scores were bad and the Legislature started putting pressure on the State School Board. I personally think several Legislators had kids in danger of not graduating.
Can I just ask why people seem to be surprised that this is happening?
Does it not make sense that standards would be lowered to make it look like schools are making the requirements of NCLB? "Smoke and Mirrors" is nothing new.
Not that it's any kind of excuse for doing so, but it certainly isn't surprising IMHO. It comes down to money, pride and "putting on airs" as near as I can tell.
Of course they lowered the standards. How ridiculous is it to think that 100% of students can be on grade level in the first place?
Exactly. As a lay person I am totally flabbergasted by this goal 100% on grade level. I'm more surprised that more states didn't lower their standards. Make the standards low and then let the teachers get back to teaching content instead of teaching to some arbitrary test.
Under NCLB, if a Title I school fails to meet adequate yearly progress (as defined by each state) for two or more years, the state must take drastic corrective action, such as restructuring, replacing school staff, or hiring an outside consultant.
Let's say it's year zero of NCLB, and a significant number of children in a state are two or more grade levels behind in math and/or reading. Somehow schools are supposed to get them up to grade level in mainstream classrooms in the same amount of instructional time as it takes to advance a child who already performs at grade level. And all of this rapid advancement must happen without signficant additional funding and in no more than two years.
Of course it's easier just to make the tests simpler.
Exactly. As a lay person I am totally flabbergasted by this goal 100% on grade level. I'm more surprised that more states didn't lower their standards. Make the standards low and then let the teachers get back to teaching content instead of teaching to some arbitrary test.
Well, there's a thought. I'm guessing that if they ever had most of the kids on target, they'd just add targets. We HAVE to keep testing them for something, after all.
And Doc, I know an astonishing number of homeschooling former teachers.
NCLB is making me seriously consider homeschooling my own children (And I am a public school teacher).
I'd say that a full third of the moms in my various homeschool groups are former public school teachers. Very common nowadays.
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