Much of the popular evidence sited on behalf of the illiteracy argument is found in criticisms of school districts based on No Child Left Behind. These fault laden tests are a classic example of the rates of illiteracy being exploited. The reasons for failure are diluted with examples of inaccuracies concerning the abilities of the test takers and the “blindness” of the test givers.
In a hallmark of the federal law, schools are judged not just on the overall performance of their student body, but also on the scores of various subgroups, like special education students. This means that even a school highly sought after by parents could wind up on the dreaded list.
The parents of these children have little choice but to remove their kids and place them in another district. Unfortunately, the districts limit the number of transfer vouchers available, making the move toward success harder than necessary.
When schools are designated as failing, parents must be notified and given the right to request that their children be transferred. But New York City, like many school districts across the country, limits the number of transfer requests it grants.
Parents confronted with the news of a failing school, may feel overwhelmed and hopeless, as their hands are tied. Their ultimate goal is the success of their children.
How does this effect the literacy rate in this district? Many schools are faced with a problem that may or may not exist. Test scores may be altered do to conditions like high rates of ethnic diversity, poverty or special education students. School districts are required to reorganize or even close schools who have two consecutive failing years.
Each year that a school fails to make progress brings another set of requirements. Ultimately, districts may close failing schools; over the summer New York City closed 19 poorly performing schools.
Teachers are left with higher standards and benchmarks, parents are left with panic and fear, and students are “Left Behind.” We will explore whether or not literacy rates have improved with NCLB.
46 New York City Schools Join List of Those Failing in Student Performance Standards Under U.S. Law, The New York Times
By Elissa Gootman
January 11, 2007
Click here to read the complete New York Times article.
