Criticism of NCLB

Criticism of NCLB Assignment & Discussion Questions

The work we are doing on NCLB is timely because the Act is up for reauthorization. It is being debated as we are studying it. This week, I would like each group to imagine that it is playing a role in the debate over the reauthorization of this legislation. Group 1 will imagine that it is the staff of a US Senator who has yet to decide whether to support the legislation. Group 2, imagine that you are the staff for a Senator opposed to the bill. Group 3, Imagine you are staff for a Senator who supports the bill. Group 4, imagine you are part of a community organization in an inner city, whose members harbor deep reservations about the effect of the bill on inner city children. You are in Washington to give testimony about the bill. Prepare testimony you could give at a congressional hearing. Group 5, imagine you represent a labor union that is critical of the trend of substituting education and training for jobs. Prepare testimony you could give on this issue. Group 6, imagine you are staff at a national teacher union and need to prepare a briefing paper for someone who will testify on the bill. Group 7, imagine you represent a parent teacher student association in a suburban area. Prepare a briefing paper your members can use as they publicize the legislation and urge people to contact their representatives and senators.

All Groups Individual Work: Briefly outline the argument in each of the short chapters in Many Children Left Behind by Meier and Wood and outline Anyon’s argument in greater detail. Divide the labor so that each person writes a longer outline of one chapter in Meier and Wood. (Note that in some groups more than one person will do each chapter.) Given the role your group is playing, have each member of your group research some aspect of NCLB (using online sources may be easier than using paper resources; whichever you choose, try to distinguish between credible and incredible sources). You might break the research down along lines in the readings—the AYP requirements and how they affect different groups, NCLB & democracy, the privatization issue, possible amendments that would make the bill more appealing or bring in additional constituencies, the issue of NCLB as a jobs program. Use this week’s readings and try to draw on earlier readings as much as you can.

Group 1, 8 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines and your research. Give reasons to support the bill, reasons to change it, and reasons to oppose it. Conclude your issue paper by making a recommendation to the Senator. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement either on the course of action the Senator should take or the reasons for taking an action.

Group 2, 9 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines, your research, and other material from this course. Give reasons to oppose the bill. Try to anticipate the arguments supporters might make and how the Senator might respond to them. Conclude your issue paper by recommending what you think are the strongest, most persuasive arguments against the bill. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement about the best arguments to use or the Senator’s position.

Group 3, 10 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines, your research, and material you’ve covered in this course. Give reasons to oppose the bill. Try to anticipate the arguments supporters might make and how the Senator might respond to them. Conclude your issue paper by recommending what you think are the strongest, most persuasive arguments for the bill. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement about the best arguments to use or the Senator’s position.

Group 4 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines, your research, and material you’ve covered in this course, something that would be useful in giving testimony on the bill. Give reasons to oppose the bill. Try to anticipate the arguments others might make and how you might respond to them. Conclude your issue paper by recommending what you want Congress to do and encapsulate your most powerful argument. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement about the best arguments to use or the Senator’s position.

Group 5 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines, your research, and material you’ve covered in this course, something that would be useful in giving testimony on the bill. As a union, you’ll focus on jobs. Explain how NCLB has become a substitute for a jobs program.. Try to anticipate the arguments others might make and how you might respond to them. Conclude your issue paper by recommending what you want Congress to do and encapsulate your most powerful argument. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement about the best arguments to use or the Senator’s position.

Group 6 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines, your research, and material you’ve covered in this course, something that would be useful in giving testimony on the bill. Teacher unions examine legislation from the standpoint of teachers. They have also been among the most consistent voices expressing the interests of their students. Try to anticipate the arguments others might make and how you might respond to them. Conclude your issue paper by recommending what you want Congress to do and encapsulate your most powerful argument. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement about the best arguments to use or the Senator’s position. Group 7 Group Work: Discuss the readings and your additional research. Write an issue paper on NCLB using your relatively detailed outlines, your research, and material you’ve covered in this course, something that would be useful in giving testimony on the bill. Examine NCLB from the standpoint of your members. Try to anticipate the arguments others might make and how you might respond to them. Conclude your issue paper by recommending what you want Congress to do and encapsulate your most powerful argument. If need be, you can have a dissenting recommendation if there is substantial disagreement about the best arguments to use or the Senator’s position.