Re: New PDK/Gallup Poll Shows Growing NCLB Opposition

[aburke5054@aol.com]

The FEA statement stretches the truth to the point of irresponsibility. 
 A majority of respondents say they don't know very much about NCLB.  
That accounts to some degree for findings such as 52 percent oppose 
reporting test results by race and ethnicity.  The very problem that 
NCLB was designed to overcome was hiding the under achievement of those 
students in aggregates.

NCLB, as written and as ESEA has done for more than 40 years, calls 
directly for more focus on low-achieving students and includes many 
provisions for professional development for school staff members.  
"Growth" as an alternative to status is not necessarily a solution.  
Who would want a system that rewards growth that will leave many 
children behind?

Art


-----Original Message-----
From: Bob Schaeffer <bobschaeffer@earthlink.net>
To: ARN Main List <arn-l@interversity.org>; arn2-strategy 
<arn2-strategy@yahoogroupcas.com>; rethinkaccountdc@yahoogroups.com
Sent: Tue, 28 Aug 2007 5:15 am
Subject: [arn-l] New PDK/Gallup Poll Shows Growing NCLB Opposition


Forum on Educational Accountability


http://www.edaccountability.org


for further information:


Dr. Monty Neill            (617) 864-4810


or Bob Schaeffer          (239) 395-6773


for release with Gallup/PDK poll - embargoed until 12:01am, Tues., Aug.
28, 2007

NEW POLL SHOWS GROWING DISCONTENT WITH "NO CHILD" LAW;

PUBLIC ENDORSES REFORMS PROPOSED IN JOINT STATEMENT SIGNED BY

139 NAT'L EDUCATION, CIVIL RIGHTS, DISABILITY, LABOR & RELIGIOUS GROUPS

"THE MORE PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT NCLB, THE MORE THEY WANT TO CHANGE IT"


      A major, annual poll released today demonstrates that the public
increasingly supports a fundamental overhaul of the controversial "No
Child Left Behind" (NCLB) law, according to the Forum on Educational
Accountability (FEA), a working group seeking to implement reforms
sought by 139 national education, civil rights, disability, labor,
religious and civic organizations.


    "The Phi Delta Kappa (PDK)/Gallup poll shows that the more people
know about NCLB, the more they want to change it," said FEA convener 
Dr.
Monty Neill, who is also the co-Executive Director of the National
Center for Fair & Open Testing (FairTest). "Less than a third of the
nation now believes NCLB is helping improve the performance of public
schools." (Poll data and analysis are online at
http://www.pdkintl.org/kappan/k_v89/k0709pol.htm)


    Neill continued, "The public both shares the criticisms made in
the 'Joint Organizational Statement on NCLB' and endorses its overhaul
proposals." Specifically, Neill noted:


   * The Joint Statement calls for federal law to "shift from applying
sanctions for failing to raise test scores to holding states and
localities accountable for making the systemic changes that improve
student achievement." In the poll, overwhelming majorities of more than
80% supported proposals to "provide more instructional time and other
help for low-performing students." A similar percentage backs 
additional
professional development time for public school teachers.


   * The Joint Statement calls for changes in NCLB to "allow states to
measure progress by using students' growth in achievement." The
PDK/Gallup poll reports that 82% of respondents favor rating schools
based on "improvement shown by the students," not just "percentage
passing the test."


   * The Joint Statement cites concerns with NCLB that include
"over-emphasizing standardized testing" and "narrowing curriculum and
instruction to focus on test preparation." In the PDK/Gallup poll more
than half of public school parents say there is "too much emphasis" on
standardized exams. Three-quarters agree that schools now "teach to the
tests." Nine out of ten express concern about a "reduced emphasis on 
the
teaching of science, health, social studies and the arts."


  "Senators and Representatives should heed the strong message from
their constituents expressed in the PDK/Gallup poll," Neill concluded.
"When they return to Capitol Hill after Labor Day, Congress must work
for a comprehensive overhaul of NCLB so that federal law helps, not
hurts, the nation's schools and our children."

- - 3 0 - -


* the Joint Statement, a list of signers and other Forum on Educational
Accountability documents are available online at 
www.edaccountabilty.org
<http://www.edaccountabilty.org/>








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