Dumbing down of America - Part 1,435,561
You know, it seems to be that the majority of folks who are upset over the No Child Left Behind law are the professional education folks - you know, administrators, staff, and the Teachers Unions. Vehemently! The decry that they have to teach to “the test” (gee, teachers are giving tests – just not theirs). That the subject material is is defined for them, that they have lost control, unfunded mandates, special groups of kids destroy the averages, the competition is unfair....you get the idea.
IMHO, they have not yet figured out that they should be judged by their product - educated kids. Or, at least it is supposed to be that way. And because there has been a failure to do so, some states have put into place standardized testing at certain levels to ensure that kids are learning to a given standard. It seems that some have problems with this – especially the kids who believe it is unfair when they fail. They get upset when they don't get a diploma at the end of senior year.
What the educational system has failed to do is to get a simple idea across – you earn things, you are not entitled to them. I've written about this before (here and here) about standards becoming more and more lax and thus legislators having to step into the mix.
This story? More of the same. Kids not being allowed to graduate because they cannot pass the TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills). Note: the kids are complaining!
Crystal Martinez complained that while she finished at the top of her class with a 3.5 grade point average, she is now blocked from graduation by failing the TAKS test.
"We know we're not going to get our diplomas, but we just want to walk across the stage," Martinez said. "That's all we ask for right now."
Classmate Chloe Walker agreed. "I believe that I have at least the right to walk the stage with all my friends," she said. "I made it this far, and I have all my credits I need. I deserve to get my certificate of completion."
At the top of the class and can't pass a test? Now, who is at fault here? That's right, not the kids – the teachers and staff. Call it grade inflation or outright fraud (in my opinion) of services. How can a 3.5 GPA result in failing a standardized test? It shouldn't. And this notion of rights is just going too far - why didn't the teachers inform the students that standards have to be met (and that there is no "right" to believe that they deserve anything?).
But dig the picture.....look at the closest sign "LET ARE KIDS WALK"...shouldn't one of the responsible teachers clued in the clueless?
Naw, we'll let it speak for itself. School vouchers anyone?
(H/T: Captain's Quarters) Read the whole article here
