No Child Left Behind... But What About The Teachers

The statistics of the schools are shocking to me, I've never seen them all so clearly before. The percentage of Latino and African American students in some areas like Hawaii, California, and Louisiana totally took me by surprise. What shocked me the most though was the low 17% of students going to public schools in this North East area. I guess growing up here I didn't hear too much about private schools and assumed that most of the area used public schools. When I look back there were two private schools within 10 minutes from my house. Its interesting the things you notice when your young and the things you recall when you are older.

The No Child Left Behind Act actually makes me angry. I do not think that federal testing is going to help anyone. Everyone is different and a test that has the exact same questions for everyone is just going to show who was taught just for the test and who wasn't. If this kind of testing is necessary than I believe it should be an individual evaluation by the teacher who has spent a year with them and knows the child. That is how no child will be left behind.

My biggest problem with this Act is the teacher specifications. They are sending teachers out to get more schooling, which would be fine if they could afford it. They are also sending letters home telling parents of students that the teacher is not highly qualified. This can really destroy a teachers career. Just because a teacher does not have the same amount of degrees as the next does not mean they are not a good teacher. Degrees don't come with compassion and understanding, they come with cold facts. Being a good teacher has a lot to do with the skills to relay the information in a way the students understand. Lets not forget about all those teachers who have worked so hard and changed our lives that are now being called under qualified.