My original intention when signing on today was to post about "My Access", but that will have to be next post because one of the comments from my previous post on high school graduation rates and how they apply to NCLB asked a GREAT question. The question was, "How would I change [NCLB]... if I were a legislator?"
I thought it was a great question because it greatly bothers me when people (not unlike myself, in this instance) are quick to point out what is wrong with an issue or policy, and who is to blame, but does not and/or can not offer a proposed remedy. I could write a book here, but I will try and be brief.
In short, I don't know if there is a "good" answer here, and I am pretty sure there is no 1 "right" answer (and if there is, I don't have it). However, that being said, I know what can be better. If I were a legislator, I would propose an amendment to the law requiring more stringent, AND nationally uniform, standards for teacher certification. I would then couple those standards with a greater emphasis being placed on teacher, and specialist, evaluations of student progress to determine AYP for districts.
"Hire people you trust, but then TRUST the people you hire!"
Again, I could say more, but this is a brief synopsis. Additionally, I am attaching here a link to an article that further clarifies some of the discrepancies nationwide between how schools can calculate their graduation rates.
http://www.centerforpubliceducation.org/site/c.kjJXJ5MPIwE/b.1809841/k.CB45/The_straight_story_on_high_school_graduation_rates.htm
1 comment:
Great response, Anthony.
I think you are right on target when you say there really is not one "right" answer to the NCLB debate. We need standards. We need assessment measures. Yet, where do we draw the line? What constitutes too much of a "good" thing?
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