Week+1+Discussion


 * Week 1 Overview asks us to discuss the following 2 prompts: **

One of the effects of the NCLB legislation is the fact much more attention is being paid to curriculum alignment and test scores are being analyzed to provide personalized instruction for students(#3) I definitely agree that curriculum alignment is happening and is necessary. Teachers need to be teaching the same concepts in any given course. They may not all teach it the same way, but at least they are teaching the same general concepts across the state. In regard to analyzing test scores, I do think that there is too much emphasis being placed on them, but I also believe that using this data can be key in identifying strengths and weaknesses of individual students to help teachers modify and accommodate students. Another effect of the No Child Left Behind is that students are taking a lot more tests (#6). No joke!! Students take TAKS tests every year from 3 rd  grade to 11 th  grade—as much as 5 in one year. This doesn’t even count the PSAT and SAT. Not only are they having to take the tests, but they forced to practice and prepare for each test for months before taking them. By the time the actual week-o-TAKS is upon us, they are completely “TAKSed”! Then, they have to drudge through the grueling tests and hope they can sit still long enough to make it to the end. I hope when the STARR tests come into effect, they figure out a better way to administer them and still maintain the integrity of the tests.
 * Review the article, "Ten Big Effects of the No Child Left Behind Act on Public Schools," in this week's Readings. Choose 2 of the 10 effects of No Child Left Behind (NCLB), give your positive or negative impression of each, and briefly explain your reasoning. **

In my opinion, the NCLB legislation provides a source of accountability to parents. There is someone to answer for their child learning or not learning — the principal. The legislation ensures that districts are designing and implementing a challenging curriculum, hiring qualified professionals and providing furthering training to ensure best practices, and being held accountable to these decisions. AYP standards affects our school in both a positive and negative way. On one hand, the school and district must meet a required level of student achievement and success — which is good; however, this causes teachers to “ teach to the test ”  and sometimes prevents great learning from happening.
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Verdana','sans-serif'; font-size: 9pt;">In your opinion, in what ways does NCLB assure parents that the needs of all students will be addressed? How does Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) affect your school and district? **