Thread: Az students` progress `mixed` under No Child Left Behind

AZ students' progress `mixed' under No Child Left Behind
June 25th, 2008 @ 7:25am
by Bob McClay/KTAR

A new education report shows Arizona students aren't doing as well as others around the country under the ``No Child left Behind" program.

The Center on Education Policy studied student achievement trends in all 50 states, using state test results, and found mixed results in Arizona schools.

``The reading achievement at the elementary level shows increases, but not so much for middle or high school levels," said Jack Jennings, president of the Center on Education Policy.

Math results in Arizona also were mixed.

``At the elementary grade, there are increases, but at the middle and high school grades, the increases aren't so significant."

Jennings said he does not know why, that determining that is up to Arizona education experts.

``This is something for the state to ask, to ask whether these results in fact are accurate and, if they are accurate, what should be done about it in Arizona," he said.

One of the goals of ``No Child Left Behind" was to ``narrow the gap" of test scores among races.

In the past, whites generally had higher test scores, Jennings said.

``What we're finding nationally is that there is a narrowing of the achievement gap, especially for African-American students and for poorer students. And there's some evidence that the Latino achievement gap with whites also is narrowing."

That isn't necessarily true in Arizona, Jennings said. While the state has made some progress, he said it has been inconsistent, and Arizona is out of step with the rest of the nation.

Jennings said ``No Child Left Behind" has boosted student achievement nationwide since the federal program was adopted in 2002. • State Education Survey


If we do not get rid of `No Child Gets ahead ` our children are
going down the tubes .



http://ktar.com/?nid=6&sid=877573

Of course they didn't do the numbers -- but how many of these children who are failing are spanish speaking? Schools really needs to document and count how much money is being spent on ESL students. I suspect you will find that those who are failing are children of illegals and/or ESL Students. The presence of ESL students is pulliing down are entire public education system.

One of the goals of ``No Child Left Behind" was to ``narrow the gap" of test scores among races.

Dummy down as many as possible. I know in our paper when they have the list of honor role students, unless you are seriously stupid, you're on it. It hasn't brought many up as much as they have lowered the bar. I remember years ago how shocked so many were when mostly black athletes became stars and were being recruited yet couldn't read. Doesn't seem much different now because the object is get them through, whether they got a decent education or not. Not to mention anything to support those who are top achievers are being dropped to continue the aid for the lower group who 9 x's out of 10 don't finish or value the education anyway. It's kills the incentive to try when you know it will be handed to you anyway.