Re: FW: Open Letter

[ABurke5054@aol.com]

In a message dated 11/19/2006 3:03:11 PM Pacific Standard Time,  
pgutpgut@msn.com writes:

However, insisting on 100% proficiency, including all severe needs  sped 
students which the law requires, is as you would put it ludicrous.   And to 
penalize schools because they cannot alter the cognitive functioning of  certain 
students is also ludicrous.  

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You completely misunderstand both the provisions and the implications  of the 
law.  The goal of 100% proficiency is supposed to drive states to  improve 
their schools, particularly schools that serve large numbers of  poor children, 
minority children, and children from homes where English is  not the first 
language and to improve all schools that serve children with  special needs. The 
law requires states to improve their schools by  providing sustained and 
intensive support.  There is nothing ludicrous  about this -- in fact, it is in my 
opinion an enormous advancement in civil  rights.  The notion that schools are 
being "penalized" is pure  propaganda and this irresponsible claim is 
lamentably being spread by  people within public education, as well as by 
out-to-lunch outfits like  FairTest. 
 

That's just one problematic area of the law.  Throw in the  corruption that 
has led to unscrupulous  behavior from the top down to  the classroom and you 
have a recipe for disaster. Making money off the  backs of children is immoral.

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There is corruption from the bottom up, too.  So far there are  problems, but 
not a disaster.  Maybe increasing the choices available  to parents and kids 
is to some degree an antidote.  Finally, I don't think  that teachers are 
immoral for making money.
 

Moreoever, accountability is a two way street.  If the people  running the 
programs we are expected to implement are accountable to no one,  how can we 
expect those in the classroom to be held  accountable? 

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If by "people running the programs" you mean school administrators, they  are 
accountable to elected officials, who are accountable to the people.
 
Art