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With No Child, common sense must prevail
Friday, July 27, 2007
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By Barbara Nemko
While the boards of trustees of Napa Valley Unified School District and the Napa County Office of Education have sent resolutions to Washington suggesting changes to the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, it is the powerful voice of parents and community members that Congress needs to hear.

Now is the time for you to take action to ensure that some of the more egregious provisions of the act are corrected. But before we look at No Child Left Behind, let’s examine the gains that have been made locally in the last two years.
The percent of children who are proficient or advanced has risen across the board. In grade four English language arts, for example, 53 percent of students are proficient or advanced, compared with 43 percent two years ago. In grade two, 61 percent of students are proficient or advanced in math, compared with 47 percent two years ago. Other gains are slightly more modest, but the trend is there, in all grades and both subject areas.

Are we acknowledged for this progress? No. Did you know that by 2013-2014, the law expects that 100 percent of students will be proficient in language arts and mathematics? This applies equally to schools with students from highly educated, wealthy parents and to schools whose students are largely newcomers to this country and enter school speaking no English.
Did you know that each state is judged by the percentage of students who are proficient in their own state’s content standards? Standards vary widely in difficulty from state to state, with California’s being among the most challenging. If you have any question about this, please feel free to call my office and I will be happy to administer a sample test.

Did you know that English learners have a three-year window in which to take assessments in their native language, after which they must demonstrate proficiency on an English language assessment that uses highly specific, academic vocabulary? If you went to Germany or France tomorrow, would you be “proficient” in three years?
Did you know that, in California, a parent may “opt” a child out of taking the annual state test for reasons the parent deems in the best interest of the child? The participation rate of the school is affected by this decision, and if the school, or any subgroup, does not have a 95 percent participation rate, the school becomes a candidate for Program Improvement.

Did you know that an elementary school teacher who teaches many subjects is deemed “highly qualified” for all subjects by virtue of a single test or college degree while teachers of special education and alternative programs who teach in self-contained middle and/or high school programs must meet the “highly qualified” criteria separately for English, mathematics, social studies and science? This is the equivalent of taking a college major in four areas.

If you want improvement, there are several people in Washington who need to hear from you. In addition to the president, Sens. Feinstein and Boxer and Rep. Mike Thompson, you should send letters to Sen. Ted Kennedy and Rep. George Miller, as they are the major proponents of the current version of NCLB. Let them know that:

• You want high standards and realistic targets for improvement.

• It is unrealistic to expect 100 percent of students to be proficient in English language arts and math. It will unfairly demoralize the hardest-working teachers in the most challenging schools.

• Rather than one bar for all schools, reform should focus on how much growth students in a school make from year to year.

• Focusing reform on only math and language arts has narrowed the curriculum in order to raise test scores in these areas.

• It is counterproductive to expect that special education and alternative school teachers who teach self-contained classes in middle and/or high school should meet the “highly qualified” criteria in four subject areas. The unintended consequence is to reduce the pool of teachers interested and willing to teach these challenging populations.

• When a parent opts a child out of testing for a valid reason, the school or district should not be penalized.

• Putting 100 percent of schools into Program Improvement in 2014 will kill public education.

We are at the cusp of an opportunity, not to skirt accountability, but to notify Congress that common sense must prevail as this legislation is reauthorized. While no one wants any child left behind, Program Improvement imposes on schools, and even districts, a number of constraints and sanctions that have negative consequences for everyone. Please support our students and teachers by letting Washington know this legislation must be fixed. I would be happy to e-mail you a sample letter to help get you started.

(Nemko is Napa County Superintendent of Schools and lives in Napa.)
22 comment(s)

A teacher wrote on Aug 2, 2007 1:14 PM:

" If I were lazy--and I'm not--I would welcome Program Improvement, a corollary of No Child Left Behind. The language arts (aka English) curriculum is set up with an anthology, ready-made tests, and the ability to have a computer grade my students' essays. However, I am appalled that students who aren't on the honors track will read fewer full-length works of literature. Some of my teacher friends have been told that their students will read no novels until after the standardized tests in the spring. I have written letters to my elected officials, attended meetings and spoken up in public. Dr. Barbara Nemko is the only official who has listened. NCLB is a goldmine for the private sector of text and test publishing. It won't help students. They will emerge from this experiment culturally deprived and disgusted with education. "

Exasperated wrote on Jul 31, 2007 2:56 PM:

" The unintended consequences of NCLB is teaching ALL our kids at a level of the lowest common denominator. Imigrant parents don't care enough to assimilate by speaking English at home. We've made it so they don't have to. "

Privatization is the goal. wrote on Jul 30, 2007 6:26 PM:

" The ultimate goal of NCLB legislation is the privatization of the public school system. Those most critical of public schooling tend to be more anti-union than than anti-teacher. Anti-labor sentiments have long been loudly and repeatedly voiced in Napa. "Program Improvement" plans devised by consultants and administrators too often result in the of funneling funds to private, corporate interests. So far, I've not seen much fight against NCLB by local school board members, administrators, and teachers. I salute Barbara Nemko for sharing her views. "

Stupid Comments wrote on Jul 28, 2007 4:00 PM:

" I love the vague generalizations, for example "the teachers and curriculum is horrible." Every teacher is horrible? Really? What an ignorant thing to say. That is like saying every parent is horrible because there might be some who leave their children in cars when its too hot. Also, the comments about the abundance of money that flows into schools...you do realize that truckloads of cash don't just show up at the school and then its first come first serve? Monies have to spent in certain ways or that money ceases to come to the schools. Finally, this comment, "If teachers teach, kids learn...its that simple." That's a good one Tarzan, as you apparently were not raised in a civilization with mandatory school attendance. You are so out of touch with how public education works...but I am impressed with the fact that you read the paper. As an aside, if you are thinking of becoming a teacher, it really is a great job. For the most part, the majority of the parents who write letters/comments like the ones you have seen in here are the ones who do not participate in the schools. The ones you usually get to work with are those that care about making a difference, a positive difference, in the lives of others - whether that be their childs, the teachers, the administrators. "

Steph wrote on Jul 28, 2007 1:07 PM:

" To: To B, you reveal much about your distaste for NCLB when you call it George Bush's invention and claim that he has all oversight over it. You know that's not true, but this is political, isn't it? I'm not impressed. "

Excuse me Barbara wrote on Jul 28, 2007 7:08 AM:

" Barbara, I have been a fan of yours for years. I know you to be smart an dedicated. But this commentary and the mission you’ve taken to cripple NCLB makes me wonder. I wonder if you haven’t realized that NCLB will expose problems you can’t control. I translate your message to this: The standard to judge our schools should be “at least there is SOME improvement” The fact that the best example you can cite is barely above 50% in one grade says it all. What you are not saying out load is that it is better to preserve the status quo than to take the chance of letting the army of dedicated teachers shed themselves of the public school system . Teachers will speak only in close private circles that they could do better for the children and themselves in a private school system. It is well know that any teacher who dares to speak will find themselves transferred to the worst schools in a heart beat. Each year that the public school system can keep these teachers constrained in the union(s) is another class of students who pay the price. The salaries of school administrators would drop dramatically if they only commanded , say 15% of the student population. Tell me I’m wrong about that. The real issue is preventing the emergence of affordable private schools via the dreaded Voucher System. You know , in the privacy of your thoughts, that the Kennedy written NCLB if left in place will expose the the value of a public school diploma as a piece of educational currency with an exchange rate of about 53%. I suggest that we do in fact contact the government representatives listed and tell them that you support NCLB because students deserve to know if they are truly succeeding in the two basic building blocks of education, math and language. "

To B wrote on Jul 27, 2007 9:16 PM:

" If you are seriously considering becoming a teacher, despite all the naysayers, I say do it! I made this mid-life career change and couldn’t be more proud or fulfilled. Working to help our children become productive and ethical citizens is a noble cause indeed. Cranky taxpayers will always have an axe to grind about almost anything government. Parents (and I am one) will almost always think that public education is not good enough for their children. But in the end, dedicated teachers look beyond all that and focus on helping their students become successful with the resources they have available. I have only been doing this for five years (as a 50 something who spent years in the private sector) but I have met few teachers who complain about the salary inequities. Many do, however, question the mandates of NCLB. And before all you pro-NCLB’ers reach the end of your chain, I also believe that we should measure our students progress to see if our teaching is effective. The problem is determining if these required NCLB tests should measure whether our kids should be successful on game shows like “Jeopardy” (rote learning) or actually be able to function in real life. To all parents: are you examining the testing procedures of NCLB? Are they truly beneficial for your children? Are you leaving it to the aforementioned government experts in Washington to determine what they should know or are you actually participating (in a meaningful way) in the kinds of information you think your kids will need to succeed? If you don’t have an answer to this then I ask, who are you going to leave these questions to, the inventor of NCLB, George Bush, or your local teachers? As a parent invested in a happy outcome for my children, and a native Napan, I know where I’m leaning. So B, despite all the hate spewed at teachers from the general public, you will still have the support of many students, parents, and fellow teachers if you decide to join us. Life is too short to let the anti-education "

Discipline wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:39 PM:

" What ever happened to discipline? Remember the paddle with the holes in it that the teacher kept for unruly students? I sure do. Teachers don't even rap kids on the knuckles with wooden rulers anymore. (As if they made wood rulers). And they wonder why kids don't pay attention nowdays... "

Steph wrote on Jul 27, 2007 7:27 PM:

" I support most of the provisions of NCLB and I believe accountability is important in public education. (I wish all government agencies were held accountable for all the money they collect from taxpayers!) I work in the private sector. We NEVER set 100% goals for managing human populations. It's not possible to achieve 100% proficiency given the variety of circumstances inherent in any classroom on any given day. In the best of circumstances, if one child in a classroom of 20 can't proficiently read due to dyslexia, absence, family stress, illness, (the list is endless) then that classroom could only achieve 95% proficiency. It's not reasonable to set the bar that high. And yet, there is quite a bit of room for improvement between 53% and 100%. How about we close that window a bit and then reassess the efficacy of NCLB, instead of throwing the baby out with the bath water? I'll give you this--a 100% goal would be very demoralizing--even in the private sector. I still love my NVUSD teachers! My kids have had some good ones--even one with a doctorate in education!! I know you're out there doing the best job you can. "

to concerned mom wrote on Jul 27, 2007 3:43 PM:

" if you can afford to pay 35k per year to your babysitter, then you are not speaking for the average Napa family. As you most eloquently pointed out, most families need both parents working in order to make ends meet---HELLO, it is difficult, if not impossible, to have two full-time working parents earning 30-40K per year, to take time off from work to become involved at the public school. HOW do you work full-time to support your family, volunteer time at the school, help your children with homework, become involved in sports/arts/other activities, and maintain any sense of normalcy. If you were in the REAL WORLD, you would understand that most people are absolutely exhausted just trying to keep their heads above water. How dare you berate others, while pointing out that you pay a mere 35K to your babysitter. It is people like you who do not understand what is really going on in today's world. You are what most people would consider completely out of touch. "

Concerned Mom wrote on Jul 27, 2007 1:03 PM:

" Some facts: 1- the two year improvement shown began happening before NCLB. 2- NCLB was enforced in the NVUSD in Jan of this year (not enough time to have large impact). 3- NCLB has ridiculous targets. Do you expect that 100% of the children in K-12 today will successful. (come on some will be drug dealers and car thiefs. we do not live in a perfect society). 4- Teachers pay for more than half of their classroom supplies out of their own pockets. (the govt put in place NCLB but did not give more money) 5- The average salary of a teacher in elementary school in the first few years is $35k (I pay my babysitter this much in a year) 6- The average family now has two working parents to pay their bills and therefore spend less time understanding their childs schoolwork etc. But they are the first to Blame the teacher. I call BS on all you parents who want to blame the teacher they are not the problem you are. Finally lets talk about the parents who do get involved and try to help. We are trying to make a difference but all you naysayers would rather gripe and groan and tell us how we cant do it. If you put as much energy in to being positive toward something as you portray your negativity here then you might be Einstein. Support your teachers and support your school or you will be paying 16k a year to educate your children. The Union is there for a reason whether you respect that or not doesn't matter the teachers are human and they need a break. They work HARD and NO I AM NOT A TEACHER I work in the private sector. "

B wrote on Jul 27, 2007 12:52 PM:

" I was thinking about quitting my job and taking a pay cut to become a teacher, but these comments give me cause to reconsider. I'd rather not be burned at the stake by a mob of angry parents and taxpayers in the town square. What a shame. "

a teacher wrote on Jul 27, 2007 11:19 AM:

" To all of you teacher bashers, you know who you are - the guys who seem to think it's us teachers who don't do the job, are lazy, have agendas, hate kids, etc, try this: go down to the District Office and sign up to be a substitute. It's easy, you only need a BA (you might have to take the CBEST, but if you can't pass that, well, let's just say it's pretty easy). You have a job, you say. Take a day off, you can afford it. Substitue pay is around $20/hr, easy money. See if you last a day, or two. I dare you to. "

Why blame parents wrote on Jul 27, 2007 10:24 AM:

" If teachers teach, kids learn...its that simple. If they don't learn blame somebody else. Blaming is an adolescent method of handling adversity and it usually passes with puberty...but apparently not for teachers. Adults take criticism and deal with it, correct the problem and take responsibility. "

M.G. wrote on Jul 27, 2007 10:06 AM:

" If schools are failing (and I've yet to be convinced that they are), it's the fault of today's parents, not the teachers. I can't help but wonder what percentage of parents are "highly qualified" to raise children. There's no accountability at home. Instead of blaming a union (how have wealthy Republicans been able to convince so many working class people that unions are BAD for the working class, when in reality they're only bad for wealthy corporations?), perhaps more parents should focus on raising their children to be responsible adults. "

Tom wrote on Jul 27, 2007 9:24 AM:

" From the stats provided in this article it seems to me NCLB is working: "The percent of children who are proficient or advanced has risen across the board. In grade four English language arts, for example, 53 percent of students are proficient or advanced, compared with 43 percent two years ago. In grade two, 61 percent of students are proficient or advanced in math, compared with 47 percent two years ago. Other gains are slightly more modest, but the trend is there, in all grades and both subject areas." Without NCLB these improvements NEVER WOULD HAVE HAPPENED! It would have remained the status qou of eroding curriculums to meet sliding acheivment standards. I'm sorry Ms. Nemko, but even in your attempts to deride it, you can't get around the fact NCLB is working. "

Kevin wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:52 AM:

" Isn't it a shame that it took NCLB for improvements to finally be made? If the schools had been doing their jobs, NCLB would not have been necessary. But they weren't, and it was, and the process is not over! Personally, I find the outrage and indignation from the school administrators, teachers and unions quite informative; NCLB is working. Like the sign says: the beatings will continue until moral improves... "

Union Mantra wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:46 AM:

" This is teacher union mantra...to the letter. And why would we write to Feinstein, Boxer, Thompson, Miller and Kennedy? They are all union supporters too! Its sad that a person in this high a position of authority and influence can be so apparently under the control of the teachers union. Someday, the quality and excellence of education will come back to our schools, but not with this administration. "

Lots of did you knows wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:41 AM:

" What I would like to know from you is why people in Napa have to buy a new high school for American Canyon and pay for it on our taxes for the next 30 years? You are the County Superintendent, why were insufficient school impact funds collected from the developers in American Canyon who built thousands of homes but you failed to provide for adequate schools? Why are thousands of children being bused daily from Am Cyn to Napa high schools? Why doesn't AM Cyn have its own school district. What does your office do with a $27 million annual budget? How is all that money spent to benefit our county, or does it? I'd like a few "Did you knows" on these problems that have occurred on your watch? "

Dear Barbara wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:34 AM:

" Our schools will not be killed in 2014. They are dead now! People in schools management who live to pander to the teachers union have already ruined our schools. People in schools administration who fight the laws of the land which require excellence in our schools have already killed our schools. People in schools administration who cannot manage the schools on the incredibly high flow of tax money have ruined our schools. Problems with schools are local problems, forget writing to Washington. You are the one who should be answering for the poor quality of our schools. "

Impossible wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:10 AM:

" 100% of the students must be proficient...think about that. Look back at when you were in school, does anyone really think that 100% of their classmates could have been proficient? Doubtful. Asking for 100% on almost anything is absurd. Could 100% of the countries in the world be economically proficient? Could 100% of the businesses in the United States run proficiently? Wouldn't it be wonderful if 100% of the population in America had proficient health care? What 100% the doctors were proficient in healing their patients? It's not reality. NCLB is the wrong people making the wrong rules. "

instead of statistics wrote on Jul 27, 2007 8:08 AM:

" why don't you actually witness what goes on in the classrooms in Napa, especially the high schools--the teachers and curriculum is horrible. "

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