Half of Florida high school students fail reading test

Reuters – Fri, 18 May, 2012

Of course, if you are from Florida, you may not be able to read the above article.



Thank God GWB can not run for President anymore.

NCLB has been a disaster. The increase in the days spent testing, detract from the days spent teaching. Not to mention that any subject not deemed test-worthy got the axe. I am very thankful that I teach overseas and avoided the NCLB nonsense that was just rolling in as I was headed out.

Not only that, instead of teaching to the kids that can do something with their lives, they find the dumbest *** kid in the school and teach everyone to that level.  That is why 50% can't pass the test.   Less regulation is needed here.

In a couple of states, Florida being one of them, EVERY sophomore is required to take the AP World History test, because it generates some Federal $$$, regardless of results, or the ability of students to undertake a college level course as HS sophs. I am an AP Reader and I can tell you horror stories from some of the essays I've read that come from Florida (and Arkansas). Some kids will write about their educational experience, instead of the prompt. And it's not always because the kid is stupid. I've read some well-written things that show how broken the system can be.

ANOTHER TEABAGGER GOVERNOR FAILURE

So it isnt the 50 years of failed liberal policies that are making our kids fail, it was the program Bush created to try to fix it??

NCLB is an example of what happens when a Con tries to fix things in a moderate hands across the aisle way.

Give us your education solution Swamp.

GWB is NOT a conservative.  He is a dumb *** *****.

Posted by seamar_116 on 5/20/2012 6:34:00 PM (view original):
Give us your education solution Swamp.

Eliminate the Dept of Education.

Allow local schools to do what they want.

Fire teachers and administrators who fail.

Allow more privitization of the education system.

What exactly is your plan seamar?

Posted by swamphawk22 on 5/20/2012 7:36:00 PM (view original):

Posted by seamar_116 on 5/20/2012 6:34:00 PM (view original):
Give us your education solution Swamp.

Eliminate the Dept of Education.

Allow local schools to do what they want.

Fire teachers and administrators who fail.

Allow more privitization of the education system.

If you "allow local schools to do what they want", on what basis will you be determining which teachers and administrators are "failing"?

Posted by swamphawk22 on 5/20/2012 7:37:00 PM (view original):
What exactly is your plan seamar?

Continue to teach in well-run and funded international schools to the children of the 1%, a solid, college preparatory curriculum; instilling students with solid Christian values, a heart for service, promoting global citizenship and principled leadership. Teachers are well-compensated, thereby attracting top-notch teachers. No way this model works in the States where the motto is "Stack 'em deep, and teach 'em cheap." Funny thing, the corporations are willing to pay healthy tuition costs for a quality education, whereas most tax-payers are unwilling to do so in the US.

If I was in the States I would stop pushing every student into a college track. I would want to see schools properly funded, and that there are no unfunded mandates at either the state or federal level. I would eliminate athletic programs (and I am a coach). I would move to the European club sport model.
Regarding standardized testing....The way to raise a prize hog is to feed it more, not weigh it more. I would limit the amount of testing that goes on. I would want to see teachers better compensated, to attract better candidates in to education. In many other countries teachers are well-respected and education is valued. That is not true in the US, where vilifying teachers has somehow become a platform of the right.

I am not sure how we go about insuring that every child in the US has the opportunity to receive a quality education. It should not be a factor of geography and who your parents are, should it? $$$ does matter, but I also know that it should be used responsibly and judiciously. Yes, bad teachers and administrators should be removed, but the problem is how to determine that. And are there quality applicants to fill those positions? Teachers need to have reasonable class sizes (depending on the type of class of course). The most important thing a teacher does is provide meaningful feedback on student performance. Smaller class sizes allow the opportunity for better feedback. Teachers should be held accountable for providing that feedback.

I do not know of any teachers who have a problem with accountability, provided the person holding them accountable is competent and fair, and that the goals are reasonable. Test scores alone do not cut it because of so many variables that are beyond a teacher's control.

Posted by swamphawk22 on 5/20/2012 7:36:00 PM (view original):

Posted by seamar_116 on 5/20/2012 6:34:00 PM (view original):
Give us your education solution Swamp.

Eliminate the Dept of Education.

Allow local schools to do what they want.

Fire teachers and administrators who fail.

Allow more privitization of the education system.

Anything to offer besides sound bites and talking points?