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Message: <blockquote data-quote="d20fool" data-source="post: 2038303" data-attributes="member: 5956">No Child Left on Their BehindA.) One size fits all is changing, depending on district, as more techniques from New Zealand are adopted.  My elementary did "one size fits all" when I arrived 5 years ago, now K-3 have individualized instruction.B.) As for NCLB, nothing could be further from the truth.  Like all standardized tests and programs, they require far too much of the students.  Often, tests require a SPECIALIZED COLLEGE EDUCATION to answer correctly, a lot to ask of a 10 year old.  I've seen tests ask for names of bones in the hand, and back in Colorado (where I'm from) a team of English professors and Deans could not accurately complete the suppousedly High School level test.NCLB goes on to state that ALL STUDENTS will be at adequate level by 2015 or so.  Yes, that means my severely autistic student who doesn't know his own address and can barely write his name will be adequate or we will have failed.   Furthermore, we have to have a 3% growth every year or else we are "failing", even if we are already successful.  It's a ridiculous program designed to make public schools look bad so voucher programs can be introduced to replace us.  After 50 years, it's the only chance for vouchers (favored by the wealthy) because the public consitently votes them down.  Voucher language was attempted in the original NCLB bill, struck down by my teacher's union.  God bless 'em.C.) Any degree of flaws can be corrected by one thing, quality teachers.  Studies show no other single thing impacts a classroom like a quality teacher.  How to you attract quality teachers.  You have to get a little wild, a little crazy, think outside the box and PAY THEM.  Yep, that's what works.  The ol' pay-the-teacher trick.  Honestly, there is NOT a teacher shortage in that there are not enough people qualified to teach.  There is a teacher shortage of people who can afford to teach.  Many leave or don't even start because of the pay.  I myself have to look at administration because my wife and I don't make enough to pay the bills.John "d20fool" McCarty</blockquote>

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