Bismarck Tribune - Bismarck News

Schools fall short

Jun 25, 2008 - 04:06:43 CDT

By SARA KINCAID
Bismarck Tribune

Slumping test scores hurt Bismarck Public Schools' chance at meeting the annual federal measure of school quality.

Adequate yearly progress results presented to the Bismarck School Board on Monday showed the district did not meet the requirement of the federal No Child Left Behind Law.

Superintendent Paul Johnson said it was an overall decrease in state assessment scores combined with an increase in the percentage of students it needed to perform well on the test.

Statewide, the number of schools failing to make adequate yearly progress under the federal No Child Left Behind law jumped dramatically during the school year that just ended.

Officials attribute the jump to a stiffening of standards required under federal law, and they say it was expected.

"We still have two-thirds of our schools that are making (adequate progress)," said Greg Gallagher, the standards and achievement director for the state Department of Public Instruction.

The latest figures show 169 of the 470 schools in North Dakota did not make adequate progress during the 2007-08 year.

In the previous five school years, the number failing to make adequate progress did not exceed 46 schools in any year. Last year, 41 schools out of 478 were in that category.

The goal under No Child Left Behind is to have all students proficient in reading and math assessments by 2013-14. Gallagher said the standards rise every three years - most recently during the past school year - under North Dakota's federally approved plan to achieve that goal.

For example, for a school to make adequate progress in the previous three years, about 74 percent of its fourth-grade students needed to be proficient in reading and about 60 percent needed to be proficient in math. This past school year, the percentages increased to about 83 percent and 73 percent, respectively, where they will stay until 2010-11, then rise again.

The Department of Public Instruction said the 2007-08 reading scores reflect not only increased achievement goals but also a new federal regulation that bars schools from counting as proficient those students who had the assessment test read to them.

Gallagher said the increase in the number of schools failing to make adequate progress was not as dramatic when standards last increased three years ago because the percentage of students required to do well on the assessment tests was lower.

The big jump this past school year "is not totally alarming," he said.

"A lot of schools are doing the things that need to be done," he said. "It is a process. There will be some step-backs ... but our steady pattern has been of improvement across the state."

State School Superintendent Wayne Sanstead said more schools might be identified as not meeting adequate progress in future years as achievement goals continue to increase.

"The state's federally mandated accountability system is demanding, no doubt," he said. "However, our schools are rising to the task."

In Bismarck, 13 of the 21 schools did not meet adequate yearly progress in the district. Those schools are Miller, Moses, Murphy, Myhre, Northridge, Riverside, Saxvik and Will-Moore elementary schools; and all three middle schools and both high schools.

Seven of the 21 schools made adequate yearly progress. They are Centennial, Grimsrud, Highland Acres, Pioneer, Prairie Rose, Roosevelt and Solheim elementary schools.

With adequate yearly progress, schools and the district are rated on the percent of students who perform well on the assessment test, the percent of students who take the test and the attendance rate for elementary and middle schools and the graduation rate for high schools.

Included in the presentation to the board was a report on all the districts in the state that did not meet adequate yearly progress. According to this report, five schools in Mandan did not meet adequate yearly progress. They are Mary Stark Elementary School, Mandan Junior High, Mandan High School, Fort Lincoln Elementary School and Custer Elementary School. Lewis and Clark and Roosevelt elementary schools passed.

The Mandan Public Schools superintendent was out of the office Tuesday.

All four criteria are used for the district. In addition to looking at the school or district as a whole, it looks at the student population by ethnicity, economic background and special services through the district, like special education and limited English proficiency. If one of these groups misses the mark in a category rated for adequate yearly progress, then the school or district is rated as not meeting adequate yearly progress.

(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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Comments

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jul 2, 2008 9:35 AM:

" Just think about it, there are many teaching positions still open, and incidents like "I can just imagine" has described occurring in the public school system(which I don't doubt has happened). Why is it that the amount of teachers entering the field is not keeping pace with the amount of teachers leaving the field? I've read so many comments about teachers getting paid enough. The attitude towards education and how hard this profession actually is, needs to change, especially in North Dakota. The quality of educators as a whole, is not going to get any better until the reward for doing this profession equals the demands that people except out of this profession. NCLB is a law that has put in place major standards for school/pupil performance, but has failed to provide the necessary $$$ to even consider achieving these standards. "

I can just imagine... wrote on Jul 2, 2008 8:43 AM:

" My daughter was constantly coming home telling me "we got to watch the show House today or our teacher didn't want to do anything today so he did his magic tricks. This was followed by we always get to watch movies or he always does his magic tricks. THIS was after a stint at Simile where the Spanish teacher just gave them hand outs and didn't teach them anything to prepare for Spanish at the high school level. Most of the students in her class eventually dropped Spanish in high school because of inept teaching at Simile. I think my student would fare better at home or private schooling because my faith in public schooling, at least in Bismarck, has evaporated. "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jul 1, 2008 1:22 PM:

" to KM: Can they fire employee's that aren't up to standards? Don't they interview and select employee's? Teachers can't. Yes, I do agree that there are differences among teachers. Some good, some bad. But, that's a different story. This story is about using the word "failing" with our schools and how people want to blame teachers when the law that is in place will result in one thing guaranteed-100% of ALL schools in the US will be considered failures in 5 years. Schools have improved-no more mercy D-. Students have improved. But the law that is in place is impractical and not well thought out. "

KM wrote on Jul 1, 2008 10:41 AM:

" to BIGPOPPAKDOG, anybody in management or any supervisor is judged on the performance of others. It is not uncommon. I also want to add that many parents that have had kids in the school system for a number of years can attest to the fact that grades of the student can change based on the teacher they have at that time. I had a child who got an A+ in Spanish the first semester and loved the class and the language, then the second semester got a D and worked hard to improve. Now the child is thinking twice about taking it again this coming year. It is not just the child, a lot of it is how the teacher relates to the kids. Great teachers are a treasure. "

aNDteacher wrote on Jun 30, 2008 5:32 PM:

" Please educate yourself on The ND State Assessment before you blame teachers. Each school gives the test to 3-8 and 11 graders during a 3 week window in the fall. There are many specifics regarding the test. Once you have done that, educate yourself on AYP and NCLB. There is no way we can blame anyone. Realistically, we will never have 100% of our students proficient in reading, math, and science. Never. It's not a logical goal (but I do believe in some aspects of NCLB). If your child came home with a report that shows if he/she is proficient or below, take time to work on the areas of weakness. Many people have said it before, we are trying to educate your children in all areas of life, which wasn't always the school system's responsibility. I work with many different students, from a variety of homes and a variety of situations. I do my best and will always welcome volunteers to spend time reading with and helping students. If you are one of the complainers, let's work together to make our education systems the best they can be and try not to leave any child behind, regardless if it is a law or not. "

bestwecan wrote on Jun 30, 2008 2:43 PM:

" NCLB has a lot of good aspects to it, but it shouldn't be a federal law. The issues that NCLB address need to be done on a state by state, or even school by school basis. North Dakota had a good education system before NCLB. Standards and benchmarks have all been increased over the years. For instance, algebra concepts, which most of us struggled with in high school, are being taught in 5th and 6th grade now. This is happening throughout all of the curriculum. Teachers, who have been teaching for 25 or 30 years, and are good teachers, have had to make a lot of changes and improvements in their teaching skills. There should be no blame put on the teachers here. Students are having to work much harder than they did when we were kids. I never had homework in the 3rd grade, but my kids do. There is simply not enough time in the school day to teach all that is expected. I live in a small town. All of our students are expected to be involved in extra-curricular activities also, little time if left for homework. No blame should be put on the students. When I was a kid, my mom could stay home and help make sure that all of our school work was done. Today, many families don't have that luxury - both parents have to work, or there is only one parent in the home. Babysitters for teenages is not an option from most. No blame should be put on the parents. We all do the best we can. NCLB was a very poorly thought-put plan with no money to support it. There are no simple answers. Hopefully, our congressmen will see to it that it is changed for the better. "

BILL G-A-R-R wrote on Jun 30, 2008 1:58 PM:

" Teachers can only do so much. If parents quit treating kids like Christmass toys, losing interest after a few months, and dedicated their lives to spending more time with them, maybe Sammy and Susie could find North Dakota on a map. We as a society have become so selfish and lazy. Denying ourselves nothing. I WANT IT NOW!!! Do your job at home and give the teachers a break! "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jun 30, 2008 12:39 PM:

" to RS: It's amazing to me, that teachers job performance is based on how somebody else performs. I can't think of any other profession that can say they are judged based on the performance of some other human being. In the workforce if somebody doesn't show up for work or decides to call in sick 10 days in month or two its easy for them, they will fire that person. Unfortunately teachers can't fire students. They have to try to make them proficient in math and reading and life skills even if they show up to school late, dirty, under the influence, empty stomach, abused etc....tell me RS, what do you do for a living? "

which groups wrote on Jun 30, 2008 11:02 AM:

" to:rs
You can have an opinion. Doesn't mean you are correct. I went to a private school and learned that arrogant rich kids think they are always right. I wasn't rich.
As far as it being the teachers fault if the ratings are down, check the numbers, ratings went up in almost every single category. Check some more numbers, with a required 4 year degree starting salaries for teachers aren't all they are cracked up to be. Yes they get a raise every year but they are barley equal to cost of living. "

Mandan Parent wrote on Jun 30, 2008 10:43 AM:

" I cannot figure out how Mandan could have fallen below the standards this time around. Our education system seems to be so on track. I find it even harder to comprehend this due to the large amount of homework all three of my kids bring home on a daily basis. I have a C student, B student, and an A student. Each child works their tail off during the school year trying to keep up with what is given to them. Do these statistics mean that my kids are going to get twice as much work next year to make the grade? Maybe the school systems should stop giving so many standardized testing and spend more time teaching. Tests do not measure intelligence and I think that maybe our system is focusing too much on the results of these tests. Granted, I realized that funding is involved as a result of these tests, but I'm sure that teachers aren't reaping the benefits of this funding--as are our kids. Lets take a peak at the big picture and see how to fix the problem without compromising our children's education, or our teacher's teaching ability. "

Leaf No Childs Behind wrote on Jun 30, 2008 9:43 AM:

" Add this NCLB scam to the infinate list of the Bush Republican failures. The program is nothing more than the continuing effort of the Republiconvicts to privatize and incorporate Our Precious Nation.

Vote McCain to be sure the education of our children gets contracted to Dubai-based Halli-burden and Brackish-water.

Forget God Bless America, the 'patriotic' GOP has changed it to God Bless Neo-Con Corporatism... "

rs wrote on Jun 29, 2008 9:42 PM:

" to ANN~ give me a break! if the ratings are down~ IT IS THE FAULT OF THE TEACHERS~ THEY ARE NOT DOING THEIR JOB!

And I did not go to school here NOR did I have kids in school here NOR will I have kids in these school~ always went private~ and I got what I paid for~

I am not going to be taxed so that the teachers can get more money and do less~ sorry~my opinion and last I checked~ THIS IS MY RIGHT "

dlj wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:40 AM:

" What says everyone is missing is that you have to look past the numbers. Even though some schools are not meeting the NCLB requirements we shoould look at the schools mprovement instead. If a school for example scored a 35% in one year and was way behind the requirements, and then scored a 68% the following year but was still behind the required cuttoff, does that not show adequate improvement. I know for a fact that was the case in one Bismarck school a few years ago. So in cases lie that the NCLB program is actualy working. Remember this is a govt program and the final numbers are not what are looked at to deem a program a success or not. If every school can improve thier scores from year to year should that not be considered an improvement from what the scores started out as. Maybe that what the whole intension of NCLB to begin with. If the guidelines were set to show a 30% improvement from year to year do you really think they could be met?? But if the intention was to get a 15% improvement, setting the goal at 30% makes it more realistic to reach the 15 % mark. It is no different than any other govt program. "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:14 AM:

" The main problem is that people think their experts at education because they went to high school. I can tell you it is a lot different on the other side of the desk. "

Point to Ponder wrote on Jun 29, 2008 11:05 AM:

" "Rarely is the questioned asked: Is our children learning?" --George W. Bush, Florence, South Carolina, Jan. 11, 2000

Pretty much sums up the shortfalls of NCLB. "

concerned wrote on Jun 29, 2008 5:08 AM:

" ok, I can get over the new big dollar store and the fireworks allowed in the city limits in Mandan, but better schools too! This is unexceptable! "

give em a break wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:52 PM:

" I am an employee of a school system in the Special Education Department and I am very discouraged reading these comments. I feel that teachers do an excellent job with the children. I would like to see many of you go into a classroom of dynamic learners and teach to each child's specific needs. Students in speical education programming are not the only students that have unique learning styles. NCLB act makes meeting the adequate progress very difficult for several students. I am a firm believer that parents do need to play a bigger role in the education of our children. I agree that it is the teacher's job to teach; however, it is the parent's job to ensure that homework gets done, the children are fed and brought to school on a consistent basis. How well would you do on a test when you've missed half of the information due to absences or being to tired to pay attention in class. If you look at the schools that did not meet AYP, it is related to economic status and the types of students that attend those schools. I'm not saying that all rich kids will take these tests and do well, but I am saying that those kids often come from a more stable environment with parental support and involvment, and most importantly, an understanding of how valuable an education is. I think we need to give administrators and teachers more support in times like this. Yes, we have our summers off; however, that does not mean we do not do our jobs and that educating your children is not important to us. I encourage each of you to do more research on NCLB and try to understand the very high standards it requires for our school districts. North Dakota remains a great place to receive an education. "

Joe Citizen wrote on Jun 28, 2008 10:39 AM:

" So how did the administrators rate a "bonus" ( referencing the story on 6/28/08) if they (the schools) didn't make the grade? Talk about new math. "

Mom wrote on Jun 27, 2008 10:33 PM:

" Lots of interesting comments on this post. I'd have to agree the most with MamaMia's comments on this one. The tests should not be the determining factor. It is just one test that doesn't even affect the child's grade. It only affects the school's grade. Apathy on the part of the student is a huge factor here. Teachers can only do so much. The drive to learn has to be nurtured by the parents/family. The tools to learn must also be in place, which includes smaller class sizes. Why not assess the schools by the percentage of kids who get above average grades in the core subjects throughout the year? "

haze wrote on Jun 27, 2008 2:05 PM:

" Kids now seem to have the idea that they start at the top and don't have to earn it or work for anything. It's really sad to see how the kids are being brought up. Not all of them - but so many have this attitude.

If they can't sit in front of a computer or have their cell phone glued to their ear - they don't want to do it. SAD.

It does begin at home. Parents need to make sure their kids are doing well in school. Don't leave it up to Bush's idiotic ideas. Look where he has the rest of the country. "

JimmyCrackedCorn wrote on Jun 27, 2008 12:15 PM:

" Every study ever done on education has said the same thing. The ability of the student is based on the student's home life. Did you read to your child? Did you disipline them? Have you said no to them?
Teachers now have to do the job of parents, as the parents have given over there rights to TV, video games, and cell phones. There aren't many teachers that teach for the money, none for the glory.
Of course North Dakota is going to struggle with NCLB for two reasons. We already had great education, not perfect but better than almost anyone else. NCLB makes improvements mandatory. If you got 100% last year you better get 104% this year. I'm no math teacher but that gets a little tricky. Tons of schools in other states have manipulated there data to get by.
The second thing is the decline in parenting skills. Not by all but by many. We no longer have our children work for anything. We offer them all the benefits of our labor without doing any of there own. They have a bad case of affluenza. Can your child wash his/her own clothes, change a lightbulb, change oil, cook anything, or read the newspaper. Why don' t you find out.
Spend time with your kids, this doesn't mean watching TV with them. Discuss issues, ask their opinions, help them find a meaningful hobby.
I see high school students everyday. The apathy is amazing. They could be so smart, they have so many advantages, but no desire to do or be anything. It starts at home. "

jstsayin wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:46 AM:

" The schools just need more money. "

concered wrote on Jun 27, 2008 8:22 AM:

" Teachers work real hard in ND. I think parents need t take more responsibility and help their children. Stay home, study with your child and do what your suppose to do instead of complaining. "

reel kleer thinkin wrote on Jun 27, 2008 1:17 AM:

" `Eye think thet skouls ar reel good at teechen ar kidz ta reed & right nou. Ware we mesup iz in payin all thaat muny to the teechrs so thay donnt evun gotta work all sumer. WOW whut a grate gob. Eye no how gud thet lernin stuff kin bee wen yu dont leve no kidz beehind. Thaats wut thay got bussez four. Sew nun of thu kidz git left beehend. So kwit throwin aweigh aluh thet cash muny on sumthin the kidz dont reely kneed anyways. Eye dident wast my tyme gitin learned so y shud thees kidz. Whut wee kneed hear en North Dukoda iz mor peeple who wrk harrd & cheep. "

This is nuts wrote on Jun 26, 2008 12:55 PM:

" How is a child supposed to learn? My child had a the same disruptive student in 4 or 5 classes. My child complained on how difficult it was for him to concentrate because this disruptive student sat close. The teachers had their hands full also. Of course the parents of disruptive children believe that it is the right of their child to be in the same classes as everyone elses child even though they cause tremendous problems. Great, we all suffer!! "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jun 26, 2008 10:30 AM:

" I can't believe I am typing this, well said Mike R! "

Ann wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:41 AM:

" to "rs" - I say B.S. First of all, I don't see anything in these posts about teachers complaining about their lack of pay. Our teachers in this state continue to do a fantastic job. As for not having to pay taxes if you don't currently have kids in school - seriously????? Did you ever have kids in school? Were YOU ever a kid in school? As a community we're ALL responsible for the education system! "

Mike R wrote on Jun 26, 2008 9:02 AM:

" No child gets ahead? I like it. Sounds like truth in advertising to me. I am not a teacher but have a few friends who are. This has been discussed at great length. How can any child get ahead if most of the teachers time is spent trying to catch up the one who is falling behind? The class moves at the pace of the slowest student. And who says that evey student is teachable to grade level? You can teach all you want, but if the student isn't interested in learning, they aren't going to learn - simple as that. Why not let the feds come in and show us how to teach these kids instead of just failing the teachers for not doing it right? "

tax wrote on Jun 26, 2008 8:39 AM:

" Taxes for educational purposes are designed so that all Americans have an opportunity to work and become productive citizens. Educational spending should be conservative and in the best interest of the learners. Not to pay taxes on education equals private education, which would only perpetuate the gap between those that have and those that don't. "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:47 PM:

" racist biker: the tests are NOT given at the end of the year. They are given at the beginning of the year. The results are often available before the end of the year. As far as taking it seriously, schools are implementing them into graduation requirements. Note: NCLB has not been reauthorized yet. So things could change when the new govt. gets in place. The only NCLB has done is pointed out the failure rates of students. There were students who didn't give a rip about school ten, twenty, thirty years ago just as there are kids today who don't give a rip. NCLB puts them on the hotseat. At least it should have, but we have people blaming poor teachers etc... for students who don't go to class and do 5 minutes of homework a week. The students who struggle, but put in the effort will do fine on the State Assessments. But the token D- days are over. Earn your grade even if it is a D. "

which groups wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:54 PM:

" I think that when the actual reports are released and people see that the groups that failed were economically disadvantages and special education people will stop being outraged. Why? because NCLB has changed how special education students are tested about every other year. Making it difficult for people who are already in a high burn out position to be even more stressed leading to more turnover thus less experienced teachers working with those students. Economics..if you don't have money you don't have opportunities, without opportunities you don't have learning experiences, without previous knowledge or background new learning is difficult. "

Independent Conservative wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:53 PM:

" Abolish the Dept. of Education... right after we finish off the IRS! "

in the know wrote on Jun 25, 2008 9:02 PM:

" Here are some basics--
NDSA tests are given once a year for all students in grades 3-12. Everyone has to take the test or make it up within the testing window. That includes students who are part of special ed. whom we have designed Individualized Education Plans for as a team (parents, teachers, specialsists and administration). Our NDSA tests were given to students the week of Halloween. Our teachers received results from that test in April. The test is built to reflect the State Standards and benchmarks which are available for everyone to see at www.dpi.state.nd.us. However we never know from year-to-year which benchmarks will be emphasized. As a teacher and member of NDEA, we welcome being held accountable for student learning, we just want kids to have a chance to show what they know and can do in a broader, more comprehensive sense. As a parent, I see teachers doing their best with the students and systems they have in place. "

rs wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:35 PM:

" once again~ the teachers are more worried about their pay than teaching~ they knew when they went in what the pay was~ this is typical~ more money less to show for it~

we should not be taxed if we do not have kids in school~ "

B wrote on Jun 25, 2008 4:48 PM:

" Folks we have had to take our kids out of the school system and put them in a private school. I see good and bad teachers on both sides of the fence. They now have an environment that is conducive to their style of learning. There is no way to point fingers at any one school, person, parent or government. It is time that everyone be involved in the education of our children and from their heart really care. I believe that the kids want this too. Let's be open to making change that will shape our kids to be respnsible, appreciative, capable folks that will enevitably take care of us one day. "

concerned parent wrote on Jun 25, 2008 3:40 PM:

" my child was in a class she had a hard time understanding and asked out of it,but it was a month into the year and was told it was to late to switch to a different class. The teacher and Principal told her to hang in till the end of semester because the NCLB law won't let them fail as long as she is showing effort.Why waste 8 wks of school. "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jun 25, 2008 2:03 PM:

" to so: not sure where the 27% came from? If you take 30% out of a class of 30 students that equals 9 students. Contrary to what you would like to believe, a class of 30 students can have 9 special ed students. Special education has expanded drastically since even the 90's. Also, I agree we are not asking them to do anything above grade level. So who is to blame? Students who aren't achieving you will see running the streets at night not doing any homework, show up to class late or not at all still reflect schools performance for reporting stats. But do to confidentiality stats for students like attendance, incomplete homework assignments etc.. are not made public. If they were people would see that schools are doing their job, its the generation that has had everything their hearts desire GIVEN to them and they expect the same thing in school. Then when it doesn't happen its easy to blame the schools. There are enough parents out there that would fall in this category also. "

okay wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:55 PM:

" I was shocked to hear that we have 2 kids in my son's class in rural ND that are being held back this year. Thank you for doing this. NCLB is a total joke. I truely believe that NCLB is a good contributor to all the bullying and violence in our schools. Those kids who are just plain mean and nasty really need to be disciplined. And those who are struggling really need to be held back to get the requirements done. "

Racist Biker wrote on Jun 25, 2008 1:51 PM:

" Razors Edge: As mamamia said "A big problem with these tests is that the kids have no incentive to try hard or do well on them". I was one of those kids in HS. My school told me what the test was for as I recall they said "We get money". I didn't care that with that money we could get new books, and computers. I should have but maybe I didn't because I took these tests as I going to graduate. I know many feel the same, all they care about is playing football, being able to get 'their' spot in the parking lot, and where the party is Friday after 'the big game'. That is the reason why these test don't prove accurately how a school ranks. At best it will give a ball park estimate. As for the answer of failing the student because they didn't pass the test, that my friend is absurd. I do agree we need some sort incentive to do well. "

Grumpy Old Republican wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:48 PM:

" How odd... North Dakota is renowned for having an outstanding public education system, continuously ranking in the top 5 in graduation percentage. Out-of-state employers jump at the chance to hire ND natives because they know we're well educated and have a work ethic. Yet the NCLB crap says our system is inadequate? I've never seen it called the "No Child Gets Ahead" program, but I'm going to adopt that moniker, because it's true. Since when is a child's self-esteem (wheter that child deserves it or not) more important than education? Why should an entire education system be limited to the lowest common denominator? It's baffling, to say the least. My hat goes off to the fine folks who are running our public school systems, from the administrators to the teachers and everyone else. I'm proud to say I was educated in ND, and I'm confident that my children are getting among the very best education possible because I chose to raise them here. "

Razors Edge wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:35 PM:

" I took Iowa Basics I think every 2 years when I was in school. I don't think there were any consequences to it if I "failed". I like that NCLB has consequences. Racist Biker said that the kids don't try on the test. If that's true then the school isn't adequately stating what it is there for. If a kid fails a test he should be held back. I know people will say "My kid sucks at tests", but how else can we judge what a student learned? We have to have some sort of standardization to compare students across a district/state/country/world. If one school in the district passes and another school in the same district fails then it lets us know that the standards are passable. It also lets us know which school needs more improvement which I think this is what it's all about. "

MamaMia wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:29 PM:

" A big problem with these tests is that the kids have no incentive to try hard or do well on them. Yes, some kids just naturally will try hard -- that is their nature and that is the lesson they bring to school from a good home. However, there are many, many kids who see no point to the test and just go through the motions, whether they know the material or not. How in the world one test given on one day is supposed to assess a child's knowledge to that point in his or her total education is beyond my comprehension. At best, it tells us what mood the student was in, whether he or she was feelling well or not, and whether or not that student felt like trying to do his or her best on THAT PARTICULAR DAY. The whole NCLB is just a huge sham. School improvement? I'll give you school improvement if you give me kids who come from homes where they get regular meals, have regular schedules, have parental supervision of activities and homework. I'll give you school improvement if you reduce classroom size so that I am able to reach out to each and every student every single day. I'll give you school improvement if you give me the support, the resources, technology and
the training to visibly make a difference in the life of each of my students on a daily basis. Can school improvement be done? Yes, but it will take a lot more than a random test mandated from a bunch of bureaucrats inside the Beltway who haven't seen a classroom in 40 years -- or ever. Okay, I'm off my soapbox now. Pass the Tylenol. "

Racist Biker wrote on Jun 25, 2008 12:07 PM:

" Law: you are correct not every grade in every school needs to take the test but every student in that chosen grade does. I can't comment on the time year elementary students take their tests since I was in elementary long before the NCLB. I do remember getting 'prepped' for that test in High School during the spring of the year. Which makes another point why these test don't accurately reflect what is being learned. Granted I don't remember much about what happened 6 + years ago but I do remember sitting in Hettinger's hot library making 'cool designs' out of the answer sheet. "

Law wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:35 AM:

" But Racist Biker not all the students take those tests. So it is skewed. My 4th grader's test was not given at the end of the year so your argument about not concentrating because its at the end are not valid. "

Racist Biker wrote on Jun 25, 2008 11:18 AM:

" As a graduate of the fine ND education system. I can say it doesn't really surprise me. To be fair tho those tests are a joke anyway and DO NOT I repeat DO NOT adequately represent what the 'kids' really know. Why? It's simple really these tests are given the end of the year when everyone has spring fever and don't want to sit taking 2 days in all day testing. Secondly the students don't care because they see NO BENEFIT from doing well on them. If you really want to access how the kids are doing look at the ACT and SAT scores. Those tests they DO take serious as their future depends on those scores. "

so wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:45 AM:

" So bigpoppakdog, you're saying we have over 27% of our kids in "special ed" right now, that's why we are failing? I know that's not true. Take out the percentage of students with disabilities and it's still a sad, sad number of students who can't pass the BASIC requirements. Remember we're not asking them to do anything above their grade level. "

what joke wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:32 AM:

" I don't think it's a joke that kids should be able to pass a simple test. It's not too demanding, and we don't have to "push" kids through the system. What is a joke is allowing some of our kids who don't have a disability to "graduate" after failing or barely passing these tests. What is a joke is allowing kids without disabilities to continually fail these tests, still allowing them to take courses and participate in activities that don't teach them the skills they need to pass these tests. These tests cover basic math, reading, and writing, all of which are essential skills. We need to quit worrying about hurting their "feelings" as kids and get the job done. We need to quit pretending school "is more than just reading and arithmetic". Don't get me wrong it it...BUT...The fact is if you can't read and write it won't matter that they have great self-esteem, are a great friend to others, and can run fast. "

bigpoppakdog wrote on Jun 25, 2008 10:13 AM:

" Before any of you criticize schools for not doing their job(wow), take a look at what NCLB does. Better set aside a week or two because it will take you that long to read it, not being sarcastic that you can't read, it will take you that long to read the whole thing. As far as schools being afraid of standards, they're not afraid. In a year or two ALL schools will have failed under this law. Thing about it WOW, 100% of ALL students-special ed included are to be proficient in math and science. I don't know about you, but if you have the solution to this, go in to the schools and do some training on how to achieve this. I'd be more than welcomed to sit in for one of your workshops. "

BS wrote on Jun 25, 2008 8:03 AM:

" Thank God my last kid graduated last year. Both, by the way, are carrying As in college now. Obviously it had nothing to do with the education they got at Century, as "No Child Gets Ahead" is telling us. The law is part of the dumbing down of America, where government wants everyone the same, all sitting around in a circle getting Cs and singing kum-by-ya. Century teachers, I know you can't ignore the NCLB B.S., but those of us who have sent kids through there know you do an excellent job. Thanks "

awards wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:59 AM:

" Wasnt Dr. Johnson a finalist for superintendent of the year, this year? "

concerned parent wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:45 AM:

" No child left behind law is a joke. It just pushes struggeling kids thourgh the system. "

wow wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:37 AM:

" Time for some people to be let go. For all the tax money I spend on schools, I expect more. It is time for the schools to step to the plate and take care of business. Afterall, we're not afraid of standards are we?? "

bil wrote on Jun 25, 2008 7:32 AM:

" how many schools are in Mandan? "

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