-------- Original Message --------
Subject: [ARN-state] Action Alert: Act TODAY for NCLB Overhaul!
Date: Mon, 2 Apr 2007 12:18:01 -0400
From: Monty Neill <monty@fairtest.org>
Reply-To: ARN-state@yahoogroups.com
To: <ndsgroup@yahoogroups.com>, "arn2-strategy"
<arn2-strategy@yahoogroups.com>, "ARN-L" <arn-l@interversity.org>,
<ARN-state@yahoogroups.com>, "RScriticalteach"
<RScriticalteach@lists.execpc.com>
*Act TODAY for NCLB Overhaul*
The Bush Administration and its Congressional allies are trying to
push through fast-track renewal of the fundamentally flawed “No Child
Left Behind” law without the public debate it requires.
Now is the time for assessment reformers like you to act. Contact your
U.S. Senators and Representative today. Tell them NCLB should not be
reauthorized unless all these issues are addressed. Ask them to
contact the Education Committee and press for adoption of the reforms
listed here.
* End arbitrary and unrealistic “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP)
requirements used to punish schools not on track to having all
students score “proficient” by 2014. AYP should be replaced by
expectations based on real-world rates of improved student
achievement. Academic progress should be measured by multiple
sources of evidence, not just standardized test scores.
* Reduce excessive top-down testing mandates. The requirement that
states assess each student every year in grades three through
eight (and once in high school) should be reduced to once each in
elementary, middle and high school. Over-testing takes time away
from real teaching and learning.
* Remove counter-productive sanctions. Escalating punitive
consequences, which lack evidence of success, should be
eliminated. These include requirements to spend money on school
transfers and tutoring, as well as provisions calling for the
replacement of teachers or privatizing control over schools.
* Replace NCLB’s test-and-punish approach with support for improving
educational quality. This includes holding schools accountable for
making systemic changes through locally controlled professional
development and family involvement programs. Federal funding
should be more than doubled so that all eligible children receive
support.
The thrust of this approach is outlined in the Joint Organizational
Statement on NCLB
http://www.fairtest.org/
joint%20statement%20civil%20rights%20grps%2010-21-04.html
<http://www.fairtest.org/
joint%20statement%20civil%20rights%20grps%2010-21-04.html> with
details in /Redefining Accountability: Improving Student Learning by
Building Capacity/. http://www.fairtest.org/FEA_Home.html
<http://www.fairtest.org/FEA_Home.html>.
Members of Congress are in their home districts during the /first half
of April/. Take advantage of this opportunity to make your views
heard. Personal calls, letters, faxes and visits are much more
effective than email. Addresses and phone numbers are available at
http://www.house.gov <http://www.house.gov/> and http://www.senate.gov
<http://www.senate.gov/>.
Please take action _today_. The U.S. will continue to leave many
children behind unless your voice is heard.
Monty Neill, Ed.D.
Co-Executive Director
FairTest
342 Broadway
Cambridge, MA 02139
617-864-4810 fax 617-497-2224
monty@fairtest.org <mailto:monty@fairtest.org>
http://www.fairtest.org <http://www.fairtest.org>
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