Re: Rationing Education in an Era of Accountability

[Diane Aoki <dkeikoa@hawaii.rr.com>]

Do you find it strange, as I do, that in different states (as far away as
Hawaii, where I teach), we are also being fed the same mantras, using the
same terminology, "data-driven assessment" "bubble kids." Where does the
language come from? I know why we're all doing it, the effects of NCLB high
stakes-testing, but how can it be that the language is the same?

One of the scary things about this, is that, in group meetings, no one seems
to think this is immoral, somehow wrong, to put all your resources on these
bubble kids, and forget about the hopeless cases, or the ones who are
capable. Everyone seems to think this is the greatest thing since sliced
pizza. When you are one-on-one with someone of like mind, you are relieved
that  you are not the only one who finds this crazy and unjust. Thanks for
this article. Mrs. Dewey, you are not alone.


On 11/10/06 10:31 AM, "PRISCILLA GUTIERREZ" <pgutpgut@msn.com> wrote:

> This is an excellent article about the unintended consquences of NCLB
> "accountability."  Mrs. Dewey's exeriences are not unusual.  I know several
> educators in 3 states who are in the same position - they've been told by
> district administrators to ignore the students who won't make enough
> progress to score well on standardized tests, and to focus on the borderline
> kids who can pull scores up and help the district make AYP.
> 
> 
>