What exactly is "No Child Left Behind"?

2007-11-04T20:50:00.000-05:00

This may seem like a funny title for a blog. As a matter of fact you may say that all you have to do is go to the Department of Education website and look it up. I think it is a great idea. I agree that there should be a basis or minimum information that all children should know. In Virginia we have the SOL's. If you look at the test it is true that every student should pass. Well let me take that back...every child should pass the Algebra SOL. But when you really think about it, "No Child Left Behind" is an academic benchmark. Is it fair to set an academic benchmark for all students even if all of the students dont have the same living conditions. Lets think about it, can a 15 year old girl who has to take of her grandmother on occasion and help her sisters have the same opportunity at learning as a 15 year old girl who has everything? There are some things that adults have a hard time handling. Then with that we go to our jobs where we dont have to pass any test or quizzes. We just have to perform and do the assingments for the day. A child on the other hand has to deal with all of that mental pressure on top of friends, foes, and assements. Even as an adult, how hard would it be to concentrate on your job if you had to deal with 20 or so different people every hour? So I guess the question would be, where are the policies that leaves no child left behind in the social arena? Is everything being done to make sure that under privelaged children have the same shot at a good education as others? Some may say that children should realize that education is an opportuniy to better themselves and they should take it and not waste it. I agree. Children should know that no matter what they should try their best to make a better future for themselves. But what about that child who has a arent who doesnt care? How about that child that is physically and mentally abused? How about that child who has to sit outside in the summer because it is hotter inside that it is outside? How about that child who has a single mother and cant aford the best clothes or technology that other students have? This is a complicated situation. Everyday I see children going down the worng road. I see students that if they were in the right conditions, they could achieve. True...adults can speak life into that student. A teacher can help that student with projects. A teacher could tutor and mentor. Counseling sessions could be set up for that child but the truth of the matter is at some point in the day that student has to go home. How is it at home? We have to find a way to make sure that NO child is left behind socially, mentally, physically, econimically, and academically. What do you think?