How effective is No Child Left Behind? Not very.
In fact, it harms our kids instead of helping them. How?
Here’s a letter from a parent who’s also a teacher with 21 years’ experience which explains the problems perfectly: Letter about Re-Authorization of NCLB.
Yesterday I was in G’ville to sign my contract for the next year. It’s a startling experience to look around you and realize that you’re probably among the five oldest in the room. Most of the new teachers are just that — fresh out of school, with student teaching only a few weeks behind them.
Sitting there, looking at the young faces all around me, I quickly did the math and realized I could have easily been their high school teacher.
It’s not the first time it happened. I once walked into the teachers’ room in Lipnica to see a former student sitting there. We chatted a little, and it turned out she no longer just a former student but also a current colleague.
I expect, if I’d stayed in Lipnica long enough, I’d be teaching former students’ kids.
All of this to say, I’m feeling my age this morning. Not feeling old, simply feeling my age.