No Child Left Behind is lost

I agree with many, or most, when it comes to No Child Left Behind law. It definitely needs an overhaul. BUT, doing away with the law is a mistake. I have said before that many teachers now are "teaching the test" instead of teaching the curriculum because of this law but doing away with the law or allowing states and/or districts to apply to "opt out" of it is a serious injustice to our children and gives many teachers an reason to not do their jobs. Not all teachers, but many.

I think many aspects of this law need to change and when budgets are continually slashed it becomes extremely difficult for teachers to meet the requirements of this law. Teachers are laid off and class sizes are reaching over 30 children for one teacher. (this also is something that has become a hot topic amongst parents) I find it funny sometimes that only the parents who actually stay on top of their kids by checking homework and attending conferences are the ones who question the School Boards and hold their children's teachers accountable for the way the school and their kids perform.

"Since President Barack Obama announced last month that he would sign an executive order allowing states to request waivers from mandatory participation in the program, at least 27 have signaled that they will ask to opt out, and most others are reviewing their options."..... WHAT?! There better be a whole lot of requirements that they have to meet in order to be approved for that waiver..

"Critics — including many educators — have long said No Child Left Behind locked states into inflexible standards focused solely on reading and math, neglecting subjects like social studies, the arts, health and physical education."... Ok, first of all let me say that this law is not the reason children are lagging behind in Social Studies, Arts, Health and Phys Ed..Budget cuts is the number one reason because when a district needs to shave $250k off their yearly plan, the first thing that gets it is the Arts programs, we all know that so dont blame this law. Second, Health and Phys Ed is not really neglected. I think its hard to assess this when obesity is such a huge epidemic amongst young children due a lot to lazy kids and their parents (i know that will be an argument for a lot). You can't tell me that kids now a days aren't lazy, due mostly in part to their parents. I will totally agree though that Social Studies is neglected. Go to the bus stop in the morning with your kid and ask other kids there to name some state capitols or all the continents or the oceans. I am willing to bet some a lot of them cant do it.

Here is a link to check out the outline for changes. Read and see what you think. I agree with a lot but defintely not allowing states to apply for a waiver to opt out.
http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/i/MSNBC/Sections/NEWS/z_Personal/AJohnson/110930_NCLB_Outline.pdf

How do you feel? I'd like to hear someone else's thoughts and not just my own lol...