One of the biggest debates going on in the educational industry for the good part of the last decade is student test evaluations. The No Child Left Behind Act was put in place with the intentions of making the U.S educational system a better place. Unfortunately, the opposite has seemed to happen. Teachers are now spending more time on test questions than on other subjects that could help a student in the “real world”.
Waivers
Educational Secretary Arne Duncan has decided to give school districts waivers so schools can start focusing on other standards students need to be focusing on. One of the first waivers given was to McPherson USD, in McPherson, KS.
In partnership with Quantum Learning and ACT, Inc., McPherson USD developed the C³ – Citizenship, College and Career Readiness plan that contains measures in the three areas of emphasis. McPherson is not the only district in America using Quantum Learning methodologies to change how their students learn and teachers teach. One of the reasons why Quantum Learning trained teachers are so effective is because they learn the “why” behind great teaching, by learning the way our brains develop and retain information.
More Waivers Now Being Given
At the beginning of August, President Obama has given the go ahead for states to request permission for a NCLB waiver. “With efforts to rewrite the No Child Left Behind Act languishing in Congress, President Barack Obama has directed the U.S. Department of Education to grant waivers to states that agree to adopt a prescribed set of education reforms,” Education Week reports.
Education Week goes on to report, “Just what those reforms will be—and what freedoms states will gain in return—remain unclear. Those details will be made public in September, Obama administration officials said in a call to reporters.”
Some states that have already filed for the waiver are:
- Tennessee
- Kentucky
- Michigan
What is your opinion on this topic? Should states be allowed to receive these waivers? Let us know in the comments below!
Image Credit: UtahPublicEducation.org
