LEAP VS NCLB

         Think back to High School. Your feet are kicked up, friends are chit chatting, and the room has the usually beige or white walls that are beyond standard along with the smell of chalk and eraser burn. It's the end of the day and you just want to go jump in your car and get out there. When it happens. Your teacher comes in with that grin that can only come from comic books. It's big, wide and creepy making you reminisce back to the first time you saw Batman's Joker. They stride across the room and shut the window, continuing that grin. "Crap" is all you can think. You know what's coming.
         "Class, in the next week, we are going to be starting on our Standardized Tests. If you don't get a decent grade, then not only does the school suffer, but the school will make sure you suffer as well."
You have been trained most of your school life for this. Teachers are freaked because their jobs, funding for the school and students' grades are riding on this. However, some of the more twisted ones, who like torturing their students are elated.
         In West Virginia, pre 2002, we had the WES TEST. Then came in No Child Left Behind (NCLB), and now Liberal Education and America's Promise (LEAP) is starting to make some waves. Standardized testing has become popular, and here is a look at two programs that claim they want to help make public schools a better place for everyone.


No Child Left Behind:
Enacted: January 8, 2002
By: George W. Bush
Proposes:
         That all students will help children 'make the grade on state-defined education standards by the
end of the 2013–14 school year." (US Department of Education 2004 with their explanation of how NCLB is supposed to work)
         It also implies that parents, teachers, and other staff members will have a say in what happens at 'their' school if it appears that it is in need of an educational boost. Along with that, they are saying (on more flexible spending) "In exchange for strong accountability, No Child Left Behind gives states and districts more flexibility in the use of their federal education funding".
        Along with all of the other great things NCLB does is that it is supposed to support America's Teachers, bring better report cards in, and allow for schools with problems to get better teachers.


          Before I go any further, I just want to say that this is a nice idea. It would be great if NCLB actually did what it was supposed to do, and it looks fantastic on paper. However, the biggest problem with the program is that it does not take into account children with handicaps or the fact that now teachers are being forced into teach what the government wants them to teach.
         Back when I was in school, I honestly learned so much more when the teachers were in 'their element'. Pigeon holing them is really not a great way to go when they're on pins and needles about not only their funding getting cut, but the fact that the are at risk for being fired if the students are not 'up to par'.
         So instead of redoing this Legislation, there is another idea circulating around with LEAP. Here is what they are trying to do:


LEAP:
Established: 2005-ongoing
By: Ronald A. Crutcher
Proposes:

• Essential learning outcomes—as a guiding vision and national benchmarks for college learning and liberal education in the 21st century
• High-Impact educational practices—that help students achieve essential learning outcomes
• Authentic Assessments—probing whether students can apply their learning to complex problems and real-world challenges
• Inclusive Excellence—to ensure that every student gets the benefits of an engaged and practical liberal education. (Found through LEAP's home page)

     Instead of using Standardized testing where it's nothing but a bunch of 'bubble testing'. LEAP is trying to use other methods that include real life. Making sure that students can keep up with today's college standards as well as focusing on figuring out complexities. 

     The difference between these two is simple. One is giving us tests that force a certain style of teaching (NCLB) where as the other is giving more of fluid approach. Personally I feel that using LEAP may be more beneficial if students are trying to solve real world problems. I mean, that is what we're supposed to be doing isn't it? Preparing students for life? 

      So let's go back to the scenario of preparing for a foul Standardized Test while you're sitting in that classroom. The teacher presents you with a choice. You can go for the test that has Scan Tron Sheets or you can take the test that let's you think and apply what you've learned through experiences with your class mates. Which would you choose?