Reform NCLB creating an entirely new program consistent with prevailing scholarly thought in education and using all types of research in the field.
NCLB focuses on massive multiple choice testing. Teacher focus on high scores in multiple choice testing focuses educators on isolated discrete bits of knowledge good for quiz shows but not productive to create thoughtful people or productive citizens. Current assessments used such as DIBELS focuses the reader on speed in reading, but ignore communication, the main goal of reading. Writing is not emphasized in such a curriculum. Apparent high scores indicated familiarity of the test and not with skills or content.
Solution: Drop or drastically reduce standardized testing and focus more on supervised professional teacher evaluation. Focus on assessment that help teachers make plans for instruction.
Problem: Students are doing too many decontextualized skills and too many worksheets.
Solution: Have students reading real information and books following a theme and have students group to present information and discuss issues in the theme to create a more sophisticated understanding of issues (e.g. healthy eating, clean air, friendship).
Problem: Too many dollars don't get into the classroom.
Solution: Ensure federal and state money reduces teacher-student ratios in classrooms to improve instruction and doesn't add more consultants or administrators.
Problem: NCLB focuses on skills training. Children don't learn skills rapidly, but they can acquire language.
Solution: Focus on acquisition through teacher reading books, art, singing, movement, drama, and discussion. For more information go to edresearch.info, California Reader or The Reading Teacher (DeVoogd articles).
