Poosticks...
I've decided to petition to have the so called "No Child Left Behind Act" to the more aptly named "Big Mess Left Behind Act." Thank you, Mr. President, for making my already chaotic life into a living hell.
I kinda' figured that we would be given a few weeks before the act would kick in. Instead, we got today to get our act together. As of today, Anderson High School recieved 400 plus students. We were already overcrowded by 300. So ladies and gentlemen, there are 700 students we really can't accomadate at our school. Which means the 700 students are not going to recieve the full and proper education that they deserve. Because there are not enough seats to seat them. Because there aren't enough books to go round. Because there aren't enough teachers with adequate pay to teach them. The list goes on and on. And this is what the No Child Left Behind affords us.
And tell me exactly how these school that lost these students is expected to preform better? Let's see, students = funding. Loss of students = loss of money. Money = better paid teachers, more supplies (ie: books, manipulatives, desks, etc.) No money = lower preforming schools.
And remember, just because the opportunity to leave is there doesn't mean many of these kids can afford this opportunity. They have to stay behind at a school that is governmentally subsidized to preform lower.
Yay, yippee, hurrah...thanks again MR. Bush.
Here's an example of what is to come...
Mark is a new student. Well, actually he isn't. He was at Anderson just last year. He beat up several students AND teachers. He was sent to ALC for dealiung drugs and showing up to school intoxicated on numerous occasions. He barely showed up to school, failed almost all of his classes, and frankly didn't care. And so, after having meeting after meeting, modification after modification, they had to expell dear little Mark. And trust me, there were people fighting for him to stay to help him. But sometimes, you just can't help those that don't want the help.
Mark transferred to another school. A school deemed low preforming. Poor little Markie was suffering. He beat up several students AND teachers. He was sent to ALC for dealiung drugs and showing up to school intoxicated on numerous occasions. He barely showed up to school, failed almost all of his classes, and frankly didn't care. ( hmm...this sounds familiar doesn't it?) But, my oho my, it's because the school system was failing him. Let's pick up Markie and ship him to place that truly help him actualize his true potential. Become the all A student he was meant to be.
Today, Mark reenrolled at Anderson High School.
Thanks NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND.
I'm truly left speechless at this point. Where oh where did this sound like a good idea? Please, someone explain this to me. Are there those of you out there who supported this? Please tell me how this can help us, because frankly, I'm seeing a bunch of futures cut short.
Tell me that there is hope for our children.
-the end-