Sunday, December 13, 2009

Seven Solutions to NCLB’s Problems:

Participants in this class will become future school leaders, whether intending to be or not; whether changing their position from teaching to administration or not. Very soon, they might be called upon for their expertise, as modifications to the No Child Left Behind mandates are sought.

The list below is a start. Most of these ideas come from the writings of W. James Popham in his book America's "Failing" Schools.

1. Change the evaluation Process:
a. Evaluate the school and use positives
b. Evaluate values
c. Evaluate affect (e.g., use of Psychometric Testing)
d. Evaluate sample work
e. Evaluate all content areas
f. Use teacher observations and anecdotal information
g. Measure the child against himself/herself (e.g., when the state opts for the Growth Model Pilot)

2. Reduce or prioritize standards

3. Add an item analysis to standardized tests

4. Use alternative assessments

5. Emphasize professional development

6. Reduce class sizes at the primary levels

7. Teach to the child’s strengths

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