Saturday, October 3, 2009

An Editorial Comment From Mr. DiFiglio

Posted by at

4 comments:

  1. Victoria BowmanOctober 5, 2009 at 6:17 PM

    From a students point of view, I think it's wrong of the school board to constantly shove math, reading and writing down our throats. And the fact that they might take away our electives is rediculous. I know kids at out school who get good grades specifically because they have to keep them up to play sports, and if those sports are taken away, what's the incentive to do well? There's more to life then equations, graphs and similies. I've honestly learned the majority of the information that I've decided to remember, from mostly my elective classes. And the fact that students and teachers are forced into trying to reach unreachable scores is silly. Personally, I think it's wasting everyones time.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Georgia WarrenOctober 5, 2009 at 7:10 PM

    I 100% agree with Mr DiFiglio on this as the NCLB act has good intentions behind it, yet is unrealistic and ridiculous when put into place in the real world. Standardizing school is a one big downfall as if all students could be leveled out into one group there would be no need for different levels of classes. The rules being put in place assume that each student is at the same level; they are not. Setting one standard will either fail to challenge some or be unmeetable to others. The new system is disliked by every teacher and student that i have come across, so thankfully, i dont see how this will be kept going for too long. Forcing schools to reach a petty standard is stunting the very factor that gives certain schools their A grade, the freedom to teach properly.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Jade LevyOctober 8, 2009 at 6:37 PM

    period 1

    Although the No Child Left Behind policy seems like a good one, it can be unachievable for the most part. If every year the standard is set higher and higher, then eventually the school is going to be expected to have 100% above average students or else its grade drops. There is always going to be that one group of students who do not care to do their best. Therefore, the school will need an reorganizing and an intervention. It is impossible for a school to be perfect, therefore it should not be pressured to do better each and every year. Grade A schools should be able to stay A schools instead of just being expected to do even better the next year.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Brian ElskenOctober 8, 2009 at 9:17 PM

    Right on, Mr DiFiglio!

    NCLB is indeed ridiculous. Before even considering every student's intelligence, take into consideration the amount of kids who will actually take the test seriously. Everyone knows there's going to be kids who goof off the entire test. Right off the bat the change for 100% passing is pretty much impossible. And, like DiFiglio said, the test can't be both challenging to all and achieveable to all. Student's IQs are going to be different. It seems a bit extreme to say that the policy is designed to shut down public schools, but based on DiFiglio's letter, it seems possible.
    It's a start, I'd say. I'm not suggesting I know exactly what to do, of course. Just the concept is a good idea. Make it possible. A little revision. Some changes..

    ReplyDelete

Subscribe to: Post Comments (Atom)