tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10653377.post116096415741211953..comments2023-10-24T06:25:45.585-04:00Comments on The Wawascene: Another unintended side effect to NCLBSuperintendent, Dr. Thomas Edingtonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075383334849817492noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10653377.post-1161001565899470392006-10-16T08:26:00.000-04:002006-10-16T08:26:00.000-04:00NCLB is another polarizing issue. I should be keep...NCLB is another polarizing issue. I should be keeping track of the mentions it gets just in our family. NCLB is approaching Satan as top evil doer.<BR/><BR/>"[h]e was not considered “highly qualified” by California education officials <B>under their interpretation </B> of the federal No Child Left Behind law."<BR/><BR/>But - let me check out this set of circumstances:<BR/><BR/>1). The 'protest' / awards program takes place in Santa Cruz, CA.<BR/><BR/>2). The school is a charter school.<BR/><BR/>3). The story is in the NYT.<BR/><BR/>My mind spins just thinking of all the political agendas whipped into this story.<BR/><BR/>So this teacher, a fine teacher -- no, an excellent teacher (at least by the standards of the NYT), "[r]ather than submit to what he considered an expensive, time-consuming indignity, <I> a teacher-certification program geared to beginners" </I> has chosen to leave the profession.<BR/><BR/>According to the interpretation of the local school board, this teacher had to display a minimum profeciency level. He chose not to do that.<BR/><BR/>Realtors pass tests. Automechanics pass tests. Pesticide applicators have to pass tests. I have to pass a licensing test to keep my job. <BR/><BR/>But, this teacher, because he has attained a PhD, because he made a personal decision to not take the test -- because it would be an indignity -- is the poster child for the failings of NCLB.<BR/><BR/>I'm not saying that NCLB is a panacea.<BR/><BR/>But there are good people and not so good people in every profession. Setting out some minimum standard for skills and performance is not an unreasonble expectation.<BR/><BR/>Again, this man needed to pass an entry level test, <B> geared to beginners. </B> Why not just take the test, pass it an get on with life.<BR/><BR/>Oh wait, I guess you wouldn't get to make a political statement and get your name in the NYT that way, would you...Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com