September 30, 2007
Mike Ferguson
16 Mount Bethel Road # 353
Warren, NJ 07059
Dear Congressman Ferguson:
As an educator and resident of New Jersey, I have a great interest in President Bush’s No Child Left Behind Act, which has been in law since 2004. NCLB has done some great things for the New Jersey schools including, but not limited to, ensuring that all New Jersey teachers are highly qualified to teach their subject and that the teachers stay up to date with the newest techniques of teaching by having to complete 100 hours of professional development every 5 years. NCLB has also made information for parents regarding their child’s education more available and is creating benchmarks for students to work towards.
There are also some concerns I have that I think should be considered before the reauthorization of NCLB. If the goal of NCLB is to have every student be 100% proficient by 2014 in reading and math, yet not all schools are working with the same materials, how does the federal government expect this to happen? Statistically speaking, all students will never be 100% proficient. Supposing this goal could be met, I think that each school should be able to work with the same materials.
I am fortunate enough to work in a district that meets Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) every year, and we have the funds to purchase curriculums and materials that help us accomplish this task. Abbott districts and other districts that are receiving federal funding should also be able to purchase the same curricula that a district like mine is able to purchase. If every student in the state of New Jersey has to take the same standardized test in the spring, they should be able to prepare and learn with the same materials.
To create a goal such as reaching 100% in seven years and then not supply the students with the proper materials is only going to help these schools continue to be declared Need of Improvement schools. We are allowing these schools to fail. Before the reauthorization of NCLB, please take this matter into consideration. Consider creating a state wide curriculum for all subjects, not just in reading and math, so that every student in the state of New Jersey has the same opportunities to be successful.
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Lindsey El Koury
2 comments:
I feel the same way. NCLB feels like it is a one-size-fits-all plan. The inner city schools are being left behind. Also, with regard to testing have you thought about cultural bias, which is very salient in the inner city environment?
How do we individualize assessment without leaving kids behind?
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