Standards-based education and NCLB
Program not fully funded by Federal Government
Indicators of performance are not accurate
Testing does not come with $ or plans to remedy shortfalls
Schools must choose from federally mandated publishers and can only use federal funding for those/limits creativity
Schools set lower standards/segregate low performers and encourage weak students to leave the system
Because of the lack of freedom students with special needs (ESL and disabilities) are neglected
Sets the stage to privitize/incorporate schools, most districts must increase funding by 11% to cover costs
Erodes state and local control of schools
Artificial high standards cause many schools to fail insuring education $ are returned to Federal coffers
Cookie cutter education that serves the mean and does not speak to gifted or special need students
Basic education does not include music, etc.
Standardized test are only facts based not learning process based
Standardized testing is rife with cultural bias
Assessment
Tools
Rubrics
Graphic organizers
Not compulsary - states can forgo federal dollars
Standardised testing isn't all bad. If the test is an honest measure of a solid curriculum, then teaching kids the skills and knowledge they need to pass it is honorable work.
Some states have taken NCLB seriously, but majority expect woefuly little of their students and schools, and have developed nebuolous standards.
Costs to comply (setting standards, testing children, publishing the results and intervening in low-performing schools) are actually modest
Standards
NJCCS
Information Power
21st Century Learner
NCLB