A few years back I volunteered at a local school in the grade 2 class. The teacher was wonderful and dedicated but she had 30 students in her class. She had an aide in for 1/2 a day and I went in 3 full days and we still had our hands full.

I used to take small groups to the library for extra help but even that didn’t happen often because the classroom was just too hectic for just the teacher. There were student with behaviour problems that, in my opinion, should not have been in regular class and they took up so much time. It really wasn’t fair to the other kids or the teacher.

I know there are some people who are lousy teachers but for the most part I think the system is at fault.

The only thing I can suggest is that you talk to you son’s teacher this year and make sure she is clear that your son needs help. If you show a willingness to participate in your child progress (and it doesn’t sound like you have much choice) you maybe pleasantly surprised at the teachers response. She may have access to materials you and your son could work on at home, or ideas on how to help your son. It’s worth a try. Good Luck

All kids in all public schools take tests to see how well the SCHOOLS are doing, NOT the kids.

The better score the kid makes, the MORE MONEY the school gets.

So, in order for schools to get more money, they ONLY teach what is on these tests. The tests are mostly on math and reading, so schools are starting to do away with social studies, science, LA, etc.

NO, REALLY!

Teachers can not teach what they want to anymore. THey can ONLY teach what is on the tests.

Also, schools rig the test scores to make it look like the kids do ok, so the school can GET MORE MONEY.

So YES, it IS leaving children behind, even more than before this crap started.

Another thing that is going on in schools that has nothing to do with NCLB is corruption in special education departments in schools.

Schools will go to the ends of the earth to NOT help special ed children. THey get funds for this, but they use the money for football fields, new uniforms, one superintendent even has a cadilac and a chaffuer!! REALLY !!

Seems to me that schools WOULD want to help the special ed kids so they can make better scores on the NCLB tests so the school can GET MORE MONEY!!

Hmm, wonder why they haven’t figured that out yet!? OH YEA, it’s because they either change the sped kids scores or leave out reporting their scores altogether. THis is an easy way out instead of helping the kids get better scores.

THere have been lots of news articles about how schools are cheating on the NCLB tests so they can GET MORE MONEY and nothing is being done about it!

People don’t really know how corrupt schools are until they have to get help for their own children. Then they learn mighty quick.

We home school, and it is so much more than academics it is about us; family.

http://www.hslda.org

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/

http://homeschooling.gomilpitas.com/weblinks/specialneeds.htm

If for nothing else, click on the purple rectangle to watch an inspirational little video, it’s free.

http://www.raisingsmallsouls.com/

Blessings, and good luck.