isearch example


an example of an AP student in progress of learning:

 

 

~Why I chose my topic:

                In President Obama’s 2011 State of the Union Address he stressed that America, “needs to out-innovate, out–educate, and out-build the rest of the world.”(Obama)  After hearing him utter these words I find myself asking how?  How do we out-educate the next generation so that they may be able to out-innovate and ultimately out-build the rest of the world?  It is undeniable that America’s success is predominately linked to the state of it educational system. Diogenes, the great Greek philosopher said that “the foundation of every state is the education of its youth.”(Diogenes) With that in mind the foundation of the United States is greatly flawed.  Problems in the education sector have prompted national debates and still there is no clear concise solution.  When given this assignment, our teacher suggested that we analyze, research, and examine one minor facet of education that is flawed and then propose a solution from the evidence. Reading the headlines in the NYTimes and the CSMontior key issues are; abolishing the federal department of education, abolishing teacher tenure, abolishing the No Child Left behind Act, and even implementing new programs and encouraging charter schools.  Of each of these options, one specifically collides with my life.  This is why No Child Left behind happens to be the topic of my little ramble today.

                As a student I sit through classes knowing that I want to be a teacher, that in a few short years I will have my own classroom and I will have to make decisions regarding the education of my students.  This is a massive responsibility and again and again I ask myself what I will struggle with most. No Child Left Behind is the one area of education that I simple do not understand whether or not it really works. Because I do not understand whether or not it works, I cannot disagree or agree with abolishing it.  I need more evidence, I need others opinions, and this is why I chose my topic.  I must examine No Child Left Behind.   Specifically does No Child Left behind work and if not should it be abolished?

                It is evident that NCLB takes place within our school district, but I do not know enough to make a sound judgment.  This is why I must look further into NCLB and even explore the alternatives.  Because NCLB is a growing topic these days, I will have access to a wide variety of opinions and I can take all of that in consideration to make my own opinion.  When looking at fixing education, NCLB must be examined and I want to do exactly that.

~What I already Know:

                It is common knowledge that NCLB began as a great idea, the ideals of America and the attitudes Americans stand by epitomize NCLB.  The specific title of this bill uses pathos to create an argument for its validity.  Leaving no child behind speaks to American ideals and emotions. But much like a book you mustn’t judge a bill by its cover or even the title.  Instead the regulation inside of the bill needs to be analyzed.  I happen to know just a few facts about the bill.  No Child Left Behind actually mandates that no child be left behind; failing standards and grades is not an option.  Once imitated it set standards for all students and President George W. Bush set the goal that all students pass standards by I think 2014.  I also know that many teachers and students feel that this goal is an impossibility. Furthermore, I realize that many educators believe that NCLB forced the government to drop the standards of education, leaving students who intellectual abilities where far reaching, undereducated.

                I know that if Obama wants to out-educate the world, dropping the standards is not the way it should be done.  As a student I have watched other students be whisked away by supplemental teachers who “help” them with their work.  Sometimes I wonder how fair this is, and moreover whether or not this program works.  I have seen students who are unmotivated to learn leave high school and become successful in the field of their choice, these students chose to be left behind, to drop out and yet not all of them are a burden on society.  I know that educating equally is important but likewise I realize that each student does not have equal intellectual ability.  So where is the happy medium and where does NCLB fit into all of this? It is safe to say, that I do not know much about this topic. But that is about to change.

~What I Want to Learn:   

                In order to fully analyze and judge NCLB, I must learn more about the specific provisions within the bill.  After I find out how NCLB was intended to work I want to see if it really did. Was it effective in all schools, some, or none? How do teachers feel?  What grade levels were impacted most?  How do the students feel, did they even feel the impact on NCLB?  If NCLB is not producing positive results, should it be abolished or can it be fixed and how?  If it really doesn’t fit the educational needs what is an alternative?  Is there a one size fits all program?  Overall I want to find a solution, I want to research, judge, and look at the other options.

~The Search: