blogsNH - No Child Left Behind my behind! - Comments

Left Behind?

DavidLevine — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 22:55:36 -0400

What does it really mean to be left behind? I had a son with Down Syndrome, and no matter what educational miracles could be focussed on him, he would always be "left behind", right? Our schools are charged with serving students with a huge range of abilities. Unfair comparison, maybe, but I think that we all "flounder helplessly" even as educated "adults". Our picture of what constitutes an education may need some adjustment.

WE'VE ALL BEEN LEFT BEHIND!

Political slogans are meaningless! Yes, public education has deteriorated. Yes, our children are more at risk than ever of being sucked into the vacuum of ignorance. Parents can't count on the schools/teachers to follow through. The schools/teachers can't count on the parents to follow through.

Looking good "on paper" has always been the "bottom line" Terri. Our kids "graduate" from kindergarten now. Education is a much more subtle thing than the ceremonial milestones and certifications with which we measure it.

Just saying ... this is a controversial topic, and that in itself is part of the problem.

Relevant consequences

Dan Meeks — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:36:38 -0400

As some of you know, I have to work with a certain population every day. Most of whom have not graduated from high school. Most of whom have had no regard for the education that they felt forced to attend. So, they dropped out. They moved on to the alcohol and drug world, then to minor crimes, then to not so minor crimes. Now, they are serving time with persons whom most parents would not like their children to be with. Most are in their early twenties.

Our school system is so concerned about self-esteem that somehow teaching a child that there is relevant consequences in this world does not get across. My oldest son went from grade to grade with "F's". Many of his friends did too. My wife and I did everything we could to turn him around. We failed in our effort. Before too long his "me too" friends were the ones he listened too. Soon, the whole bunch of them faced the criminal justice system. The judge doesn't seem too concerned about self-esteem issues, or his acceptance of diversity and cultural differences. The judge wasn't even concerned if my son accepted homosexuality as a lifestyle... or if he was one or not. He did not care if my son studied the bible or accepted the faith of Christianity or any other religion. The judge didn't care if he were Republican or Democrat. The judge was concerned about relevant consequences for diregarding and violating the law.

Many of my clients feel that they have been treated unfairly by the criminal justice system and that they are the victims... not the people who suffered because of their crimes. They are looking for their own version of what they call "justice."

As near as I can tell, the justice they are looking for is " I should be able to do whatever I want to do whenever I want to do it." Rules and regulations are something to be disobeyed.

According to the statistics, 1,250,000 teenagers in our country between the ages of 13-19 will be incarcerated this year.

Can schools do a better job? I think so. Can parents do a better job? Any parent will say yes to that. There is always room for improvement.

In short, when I was young I always had to be concerned about relevant consequences. My dad told me that I may not do the right thing because I loved him but "By God, you'll do the right thing because you respect me!" Were these harsh words by an uncaring father? I thought so at the time. Now, I am happy that he stood behind these words. It made me a better person and my self-esteem wasn't damaged at all. The judge cares about relevant consequences. That's why our prison system is go grossly overcrowded.

If I offended anyone by what I just said... Maybe one day your son or daughter will wind up where I work! I talk to a lot of parents who are at their wits end. It is a difficult situation for all of us.

Please help save vulnerable lives!

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Captain Church

Government Schools

Susan Sherrouse — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 09:29:13 -0400

I'm a parent not in favor of 'no child left behind'. In fact, all of my kids went to and graduated from private schools. I felt that is was better to spend the money up front for their education during their formative years, than to spend it on college.

I am blessed to have three wonderful kids, who have excelled at everything they have tried. The school they attended gave them not only the confidence to go forward in life, but the necessary structure and basics to do so.

Private school was not easy. The kids averaged at LEAST 3-4 hours per night of school work, on top of volleyball, soccer and other extra curricular groups that kids get involved with. Was private school worth it?? ABSOLUTELY! The long hours of being at the table, working on spelling, or math problems were well worth it. Society now has three people who can converse well on almost any topic, anc do complex math problems, and know how to solve complex problems.

Like Neal Boortz, I'm not in favor of public schools, and would wholeheartedly work for a voucher system for schools. Not all schools are good, and not all teachers are able to teach in a manner in which the student will comprehend.

"No Child Left Behind" is

Joan Mirantz — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 22:27:01 -0400

"No Child Left Behind" is a catchy phrase, a feel good mantra a farce.

It's not about teaching children,about working with their potential or recognizing their talents...it's about dumbing down the system so that the numbers look good. The students aren't learning they are memorizing and playing the system.

We can't blame the teachers...if the numbers don't match their jobs are at risk!

Our children are victims...those who are gifted,will find their way . Those who are not...will fall through the cracks!

I agree whole heartedly.

Terri Oberg — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 18:01:55 -0400

How nice of you to judge me so quickly. I do impose restrictions, groundings and consequences, in fact my daughter will be 18 soon and still does not even have her license, a consequence to choices she has made. My son managed to be an honor student a mere 2 years ago, and I was his parent then too, teaching him my values and expectations. My point in this blog is that schools do hold a responsibility in educating my children in more then just reading and math. I did not teach my son "no child left behind" in the manner in which he took it. In fact, I educated him on the error in his thinking. The experience my children come away with from school is that every child will squeak by, no matter what kind of effort is put in. There are no lessons to be learned from "failure" in school. They spend an enormous amount of time in school and I want the schools to be held accountable for the lessons they are supposedly helping me teach my child.

What about PARENT'S responsibility?

newmommy — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 10:43:26 -0400

I was saddened to read this blog. No where in this "opinion piece" does Ms. Oberg take responsibility for HER role in raising "failing" children. Where did/do her children learn about the importance of education, of doing one's best, or striving for excellence? Apparently not at home. Sad. Then to pass the blame on to the schools... yes, our schools are not the perfect paragons of education that we would wish (all without proper funding, but that is a discussion for another time), but where is Ms. Oberg's recitation of HER attempts to teach her children the value of an education and the consequences of failing to "put in the effort?" I, too, was a child that could receive "easy" A's and B's. When I received "C's" my parents stepped in and delivered consequences... no TV, no phone, no car, curfew, groundings, requesting extra work from my teachers, extra chores around the house (to which I should be come accustomed if I were not to attend college due to my lack of effort). Thankfully, I learned my "lesson" at home and in time to turn things around enough to attend college.

No Child Left Behind my behind!

Terri Oberg — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 06:38:59 -0400

"In America, no child should be left behind. Every child should be educated to his or her full potential."

It was graduation day Saturday. I attended the graduation ceremony at Pembroke Academy, then hustled out to Hancock to attend the celebratory BBQ being held by the family of two graduates from ConVal High School. At both events there arose discussion over the effectiveness of the educational system.