Blog Entry 10 November 10

Question:
What do you think you understand better now about NCLB and the "testing movement" than you did at the beginning of the course?

Response:
I was not sure about how schools were affected once they did not meet AYP and what qualifications they need to meet in order to pass. I always assumed that money was deducted from the schools and that was it. Reading through the law informed me about the servics offered to help imporve scores, such as free turoring and grants provided to attract highly skilled teachers. It is important that the public be informed on information like this. This way parents can hold their schools accountable when they do not provide the services that are outlined in the law, and also cannot request services that the school is not able to supply to their students.

Blog Entry 9 November 3

Question:

Neill concludes his essay with this line: "NCLB is a time bomb ticking at the center of the public education system." Do you agree with his statement?

Response:

I agree that NCLB is a part of the problems that occur in the American school system, however it is not the reason schools are where they are today. The implementation of this law is valid proof that there was a need for help in schools prior to 2001. I do agree that the way NCLB has changed the values and moral of education in this country is destructive, but that has a lot to do with the corruption present in those mandating and enforcing this law. It will take a lot to undo what NCLB has done and the sooner it is taken out of schools the way it is the better. 

Blog Entry 8 October 27

Question:

Neill says, "NCLB focuses on large-scale testing, which is a poor tool for diagnosing individual students' needs and for assessing higher order learning." Can you argue with him, presenting another perspective?

 

Response:

I agree that standardized testing is not the proper tool to assess individuals, however in a competitive world, individual assessments can be time consuming and extremely varaint. Considering the undergraduate application process, it would be very difficult for schools to accept applicants with no standard form of requirements. The amount of time that would go into taking individual characteristics and accomplishments into account would make room for a lot of bias and unstructured decision making. Although most colleges do not solely rely on test scores from the SAT/ACT, there is a need for this standard to "ensure" that the students applying are up to a certain acceptable level for success. Also migration is another reason for the need for more large-scale testing. This method of testing is more likely to increase the chances that a student who moves from South Dakota to Georgia will have at least been exposed to and tested on similar information.

Blog Entry 7 October 25

Question:

What parts of Hess's argument about the achievement gap make sense to you?

Response:

As a gifted student who attended a mediocre school, I can understand both sides of Hess' argument. I remember times in school where I would be bored and feel unchallenged because my teachers had to repeat information that someone else did not understand. A lot of times I felt that it was necessary and wanted to help as well, but sometimes I just wanted to move on. Being a minority student at a minority school made this a bit difficult. Not only was my school under-resourced in many ways, but my teachers were not prepared to teach an all inclusive class with students on different levels. It is harmful to focus all attention on students at the top or at the bottom or even in the middle. However, each student, no matter what level they are on should be able to get the attention and help they need in some way. Like Hess said, using technology to find ways to teach students is possible and should be attempted. I feel that teachers but a lot of pressure on themselves, and using the knowledge of teachers around them would lift the load and help all students. 

Blog 6 September 29

Question: 
Which of the tools that we've worked with so far seems the most interesting to you for your own use? Why is that? What purposes do you imagine using the tool(s) for?

Response:
I really like Zotero. The idea of having a tool that saves my online searches in an organized manner is amazing. I have used it continuously since it was introduced to me and I truly appreciate it's convenience. I do a lot of research and having a method that keeps things in order and that is accessible online makes working on papers everywhere easy. I am very glad Dr. Emert showed us Zotero and constantly recommend it to people I know. I see myself using this in graduate school, working on papers, and even organizing events in my life that require online searches, for example planning spring break. Thanks Dr. Emert!

Blog Entry 5 September 22

Question: 
Which ideas from our class readings and discussions are standing out most strongly for you? What do you find yourself continuing to think about? Why do you think that might be?


Response:
I continue to think about how easy it is to point out the problems with education. I am a big believer that standardized test are an awful way of assessing students, but I struggle to offer a valid alternative. Some ideas would be great for some students and not for others. That may be one of the reasons why standardized testing became so big in the first place. Who knows what will turn American education around, but I intend to work towards a solutions as long as it takes. When looking at the improvements Finland has implemented in their system, I have hope. To me the light at the end of the tunnel can only be reached if more people get on the same page. Until then there will be too many distractions and little progress made in the right direction. This is an extremely deep and complex issue. 

Blog 4 September 15

Question:
Consider a teacher you have known and respect. What do you think he or she might say about the "value-added" teaching evaluation movement?


Response:
My fourth grade teacher was one of the most positive and powerful influences in my life. She was a go getter and pushed all of her students to be the very best they could. I cannot remember ever hearing about her teaching style as inadequate and am pretty sure all her students improved in some way academically and socially by the end of the school year. In my opinion I believe that this value-added model would not be a problem for her because in my eyes she did her job very well. She would do the extra that was necessary to ensure her students had another opportunity to succeed, which was apparent in our sense of individual acheivement. I do think that for any job having this method of evaluation would be a bit stressful and add pressure but for those who are doing what they should, it would just be another way to show that they are good teachers trying to make a difference. 

Blog 3 September 9

Question: 
Would you agree with Secretary Duncan that "a great teacher can change the course of a student's life"? Has your own life been affected by a great teacher? In what ways?


Answer: 
I most definitely agree with this statement. In all the years of education I have had it was possible to get through the teachers I despised because of the the teachers that I loved. For me it starts in elementary school where the foundation for learning and education is laid. I think back on my K-5 teachers and they were very supportive and showed me that they wanted me to do well. This confidence allowed me to expect greatness from myself due to the previous conformation given to me by my teachers all those years. I would occasionally have a teacher that I felt did not care about my education but that was always balanced and often deemphasized by all the amazing teachers who continued to push me in the right direction. I have witnessed teachers who are encouraging and supportive help students who were failing and likely to not graduate finish high school. I have also seen teachers who do not care unconsciously pushing students out the school doors and into the streets. The power of a teacher, good or bad, is amazing. Children look up to their teachers for care and support, those who give it make learning and this education system worth having. 

Question:
What are your impressions of the changes that Secretary Duncan and the Obama administration propose as they consider revising NCLB?


Response:
I like that there is more attention being brought to the NCLB policy. It has been a long time since big media and critique has been placed on this issue. As a product of NCLB I understand how stressful this policy can be firsthand on teachers and students. I do not feel that it has done what it was intended to do, clearly with cheating scandals popping up everywhere it seems to be making things worse. I agree with a lot of the ideas Secretary Duncan and President Obama have for revising NCLB. In the 10 odd years that this policy has been in place there has been plenty of time to see what works and does not work. Hopefully there will be less corruption and more focus on the students and teachers with this intended revise of the policy. I am a bit on the fence, I do believe in paying teachers more, but as a whole. All teachers should perform well at every level of education. Paying those who do better more does not appear to be the best way to get every student to the same place.

Blog Entry 1

Question:
What were your own experiences with standardized testing when you were a student in middle or high school?



Response:
I am a product of the No Child Left Behind Act so it was not until college that I thought twice about standardized testing. As a middle school student I remember taking standardized test as a way of "checking" up on my academic progress. I was a part of the "gifted" program so excelling at these test were more than desired, they were required. I never tested poorly, which may be why I never gave the entire process a second thought. In high school I changed counties and lost all my academic records from middle school. I was placed on a lower track and stayed there until my mother got me out. It was then that I began to see the importance of these test scores. I was in the gifted program from the 3rd grade because of my scores, however as soon as the scores were lost my quality of work was not sufficient enough to prove my academic potential. I am interested in finding out how the standards movement affects students, especially those who unlike myself, continue to be academically suppressed simply because of their scores.