What Arne Duncan Thinks of No Child Left Behind

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This program will not improve the until all the weak areas are identified.
1) parents- Obviously many will never be any help to the kids.In this case when the blame is being handed out, include the parents. Put them out front where they belong.
2) Place the children in programs so they can make progress according to their intelligence ability. Do not blame the school system and teachers, they didn't select the parents.
3) All children are not equal, let them learn what they are best at and advance in that area. Unless we plan to water down the programs to the weakest level. Accept the fact that the taxpayer has no obligation to send anyone to college,especially someone that can't learn the subjects.
All these children will be in for a rude awaking once they are job hunting, taking placement tests, etc.
So let's get away from the politics and tell them the truth early on in life.

chuck05 of NC 6:57PM February 22, 2010

Mr. Duncan,
I have great concerns about the current budget issues for school systems. The schools have their hands out, the state and federal govts have their pockets inside out to show they have no money and no one is even looking at solving some of this problem from inside. We need to take steps to make sure that our children (my grandchildren) are not harmed by these moves.
Please review the unfunded mandates that are currently in place: couldn't we reduce the amount of testing and data collection that NCLB demands.
Place a moratorium on enacting any new mandates until the economy improves.
Please put in place some oversight on Pearson - the company that is apparently dictating all that we do in education these days. Just Google Pearson subsidiaries for a start.
To subtract a negative you add a positive!
Please help us reduce the expense of the many mandates. That will not mean more money from anywhere, but it will free up money for schools.

Judy Rowe of VA 5:05PM February 11, 2010

I'm sorry but while the idea of standards for education are valid, NCLB violates the 10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution which states, ""The powers not delegated to the United States by this constitution, nor prohibited by it to the states, are reserved to the states, respectively, or to the people"
Since education is not specifically cited in the Constitution, the conducting of this "power" falls under the umbrella of this amendment and is "... reserved to the states."
I also find it interesting that the re-authorization of this Act is now TWO years late yet public schools must continue to follow the guidelines of the original authorization. Sounds like a classic example of "If we (that is, politicians) ignore it, we won't have to deal with it." This reeks with more of the current transformation of the federal system of government into a national system.

Curtis Fry of VA 8:26PM November 16, 2009

I am a director of a childcare center and has been in the field of ECE for 27 years. I have a daughter that teach high school students in Tennessee (4th year) and a daughter that is teaching in her 1st year at a middle school in Georgia. I have seen the changes in young children over the past 20 years and the dynamics of the parents. They are young and uneducated or the grandparents are raising the children. My daughter in Tennessee is getting frustrated in her 4th year as a public school teacher because she feels that the school system does not support the teachers but rather the parents who refuse to work with the teachers to help in their child's education. The parents seem to want the easy way out and that is just for their child to pass and get out of high school. My daughter's goal is to prepare her students for college but the "system" only seem concern with them "passing", even if it is a low average. Parents do not attend conferences but quick to come to the school to complain about the teacher. My daughter is working on her masters degree so that she can get out of the teaching profession and into counseling. She is a great teacher and I constantly encourage her to inspire her students but she tells me she does but then they go home to parents that do not give them any goals to reach. I don't want my other daughter to start feeling that way after a few years of teaching. I listened to Seceretary Duncan, Newt Gringrich, and Al Sharpton today on "Meet the Press" and heard them speak about parents role in their child's education. I agree that parents need to give their children a goal to reach towards and help them get there. As we educate the children, we need to educate the parents. They may need a new goal to reach and be inspired so that they can give it to their children. Let's not only invite parents to come to the school, let's mandate that they must attend and be involved in their child's education on a weekly basis. Yes parents have to work but they also have to be involved in their child's education. Yes I was there for my children and even more so for my son (behavior) as a single parent. I even had one of my son's teachers to tell me that he would not graduate just because he was turning 17 and they ususally drop out but I was determined that he would graduate and he did. Why, because I made him have a goal and I made him achieve it just like my daughters. In my own profession I see unwilling parents to work with their child's teacher in the preschool environment and I am working hard to start them (parents)on the right foundation to be involved in the school by speaking with them directly on being involved and mandated they speak with the teachers weekly and the teachers speak with the parents. It starts when they are young and hopefully the school system will see the need also.

Barbara Collins of GA 8:22PM November 15, 2009

I am pleading with you to have Kevin Jennings, "Safe and Drug Free Schools" Czar, removed from this very important position. His past history is highly questionable in regard to working with children. His advice to a young boy seeking counsel after being molested by an older man is documented. Please, do not let this go; what if it were your child or grandchild that came to him for help? There are lots of good people who truly have the best interest of children at heart who could serve in this position. Stand up for those who cannot stand up for themselves.
Sharon Wood
Midland, MI

Sharon Wood of MI 12:28PM October 06, 2009

This methodology was evaluated by NYState Education Department and found to be effective for 10th graders who are poor readers.
The concept is simple, but it works! John F. Kennedy HS, in the Bronx was the demonstration site. Certified reading teachers
collaborate in the studios/special purpose art rooms with
licensed specialist art teachers. I will be pleased to send
you the complete program description and conceptual underpinning, including the motivational and Language Experience approach in use for 12 years. The mentor of the developer is Dr. Rudolf Arnheim, psychologist who "invented"
Visual Thinking. ERIC ED 184 095
Reading Improvement Through Art is a viable alternative to NCLB's drill/test system. You can restore ART to the highn school core curriculum and, at the same time, improve reading compr4ehension of very needy teenagers! Think about it.

Sylvia K. Corwin of MA 7:34PM September 07, 2009

ATTN Sec Duncan:
One area of failure for NCLB is with High-Functioning Autisic Children. I have been fighting with the schools for years to ensur my children are not left behind but it is a never ending battle. Special education is not the answer because my kids are brighter than most of the kids in the class but the have problems with social skills.
Please contact me to find out more.

Karen Dodson of GA 9:08PM August 30, 2009

Urban Dynamics institute is a non-profit institution, located in Waterbury, Connecticut. We are currently work with the department to reduce, dropouts, tardines, and absenteissm in Waterbuery schools.
We think, an effort should be undertaken to include the history of poepole of color in scholl cirriculum, and disband the celebration of black history month. The dispaly of artifact is not teaching, and given the act the Presdent of the U.S.A. is of color, and very little history is being taught about people of color, should be an indicate that the history of people of color, blacks, Latinos, Asians, and native Americans are not being properly taught in public schools.
And there more: Should you be interested, drop me a line, and I will contine.
Thanks,
Hubie

Hubie Williamson of CT 9:44AM August 04, 2009

Dear Mr. Arne Duncan:
I've read quite a bit on your thoughts, views and ideas regarding higher education, and like what I've read.
Below is an article I've written (and have several more, including one's on K-12) I believe you'll appreciate.
I would like the opportunity to speak and or meet with you regarding higher education.
Sincerely,
Glenn Brandon Burke, M.Ed.
America's #1 Motivational College Speaker on Student Retention and success!
________________________________________________________________
How Can A Motivational Speaker Truly Benefit A College?
Well, to answer that question, we need to know for what purpose a Motivational Speaker`s been hired? I know several speakers who give the Rah-Rah speeches that get’s the students "fired-up" as though they were listening to a dynamic southern preacher, but in reality, it simply leaves them feeling empty. Is this of true benefit? I suppose it`s subjective.
Then there`s others who speak on Life After College and/or business, and some are for pure entertainment, but with a positive message attached. Do these Motivational Speaker`s benefit the student and college? Sure, they serve a purpose. Just like when a college of university’s Student Affairs Dept. brings in a comedian, band or hypnotist -- They`re fun -- They`re entertaining -- They`ve served a purpose.
One major thing 99% of these speakers lack, if not more, is authenticity! Some may have college degrees and most do not. But I guarantee that there are not but a few motivational speakers with firsthand experience in the college market – neither as a student nor educator.
However, if community colleges, universities, and or career colleges want a fun, engaging, yet serious educational speaker who specializes in something that will greatly benefit both the student and the school as a whole, you should consider a Motivational Speaker who specializes in increasing Student Retention, Student enrollment, Student Access, Student Equity, and overall Student Success! Why? Whom? Please allow me to enlighten you…
Hi, I am Motivational College Speaker, Glenn Brandon Burke, M.Ed., and I am America’s #1 College Speaker specializing in Student Retention and Student Success (www.GlennBrandonBurke.com).
I know of what I speak. Originally, a high school dropout, who, at the age of 28, realized that Education is the Foundation for a Successful LifeTM, decided to turn my life around, and in 2003 began as a Motivational Speaker for the purpose of helping students, colleges, and given my background as the CEO of a major sales company (www.TheBurkeAdvantage.com), also speak on success in sales.
However, before I was in a position to offer such a great service to the world of higher education, I worked both smart and hard to get to where I am. I had been both a student and educator in this field. I had been a student with Cuyamaca Community College (in the Grossmont College District in San Diego, CA), National University (BA Communication) -- Worked for DeVry University, Computer Learning Centers, and an employee and student with the University of Phoenix (MA Education).
When I share my personal story, intertwined with positive, pro educational and life messages, students, faculty, staff and administrators alike either directly identify with me, of they personally know someone who could -- a friend -- a sibling -- a parent -- a relative -- Etc.
I share how if I can come from the disadvantaged life I did, yet succeed with my education, life and career, then ANYONE CAN! And EVERYONE should!
If you are interested in your school`s student retention, enrollment, and revenue, I would be honored for you to contact me for a speaking engagement and see how I WILL benefit you and your school.
I am also a contributing author in Linda Forsythe`s, Anthology, Walking with the Wise for Overcoming Obstacles, along with such greats as Joe Vitale, Les Brown, Brian Tracy, Jack Canfield and many others.
Ask about multiple booking discounts within your district.
Thank you,
Glenn Brandon Burke, M.Ed.
Copyright © 2008

Glenn Brandon Burke, M.Ed. of NV 9:45PM August 03, 2009

If you don't have certain standards that should (must) be met, how do you measure your progress (success) as a teacher? It just felt good? I don't think so! Then again, there are so many holes that need to be filled in. So many obvious details that go un-taught or are not covered at all.
However, if you are an adult and think that these test are not uncovering some deficiencies in our educational system, you obviously haven't taken the tests. Dare to take the 5th grade Math Standardized Test for your state and then take the 5th grade Language Arts Standardized Test. Odds are that on one of these tests, you will score less than 70%.
Now, back to those holes. Asked a 5th grader, a 7th grader or even a 10th or 11th grader, "What's a pronoun?" Whew! I have heard, a word that describes a noun; a word that replaces a noun - and I say, "For example." And I get a long, far away blank look. I even had one 8th grader go look it up in the dictionary, and proudly say, "Michael Jordan!"

Dan Locke of VA 12:33AM July 27, 2009