This article looks at the 2008 testing statistics and shows that the vast majority of states are beginning to come up short in increasing the proficiency of students as they march towards the goal of all students being on grade level by 2014 under NCLB. On top of that, NCLB is beginning to punish states whose standards and assessments are more rigorous compared to other states.
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/13/education/13child.html?pagewanted=2&_r=2&ei=5024&partner=BLACKBOARD
As a former teacher, I can definitely attest to the challenge and emotional strain that comes from trying to achieve a certain rating based on test scores.
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Brett, I read this article earlier this morning and found it interesting that the writer did not mention the safe harbor provision in NCLB. A little know fact but a number of schools will not be at 100% proficiency by 2014, but they will still be considered passing under the law. The reason is that NCLB gives schools credit for attaining a certain level of growth but don't meet the required benchmark.
I read this article too (and was going to blog about it before discovering someone beat me to it). I had no idea that the goal was 100% proficiency by 2014, and I have been teaching for the last three years. What else do you know about the safe habor provision Mark? You said they get credit for attaining a certain level of growth. Do you know what that level is? Is it different from state to state? Based on the levels they set for themselves?
found this on Illinois SBOE page when i googled nclb + safe harbor
"The State, school districts, schools, and each subgroup of 45 or more students must reach the performance targets for increasing proficiency in reading and math to make AYP. However, there is an exception to that requirement. The State, school districts and schools may still make AYP if each subgroup that fails to reach its proficiency performance targets reduces its percentage of students not meeting standards by 10% of the previous year's percentage, plus the subgroup must meet the attendance rate or graduation rate targets."
http://www.isbe.net/AYP/faq.htm
The NCLB law is just so complicated that it's hard to keep up with all of the exceptions/alternative rules. Although, this is, of course, a useful one that hopefully provides some equity between schools no matter their students' knowledge-base.
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