No Teacher or Child Left Standing

I have never been a test taker; part of that reason had to do with learning disabilities.  All through school I maintained an average grade level.  But when it came time for standardized testing things were different.  I did fine with my reading and writing, scoring average once again but when it came to math I scored below average almost every time.  My family knew that I had issues with this particular subject and they got me all the help they could.  I was placed in the special needs rooms for math all through Elementary School and for two years in Middle School.  My 10th grade year I was able to move out of the "special" math class and into the lower math.  I stayed in this level through the rest of my education. 

In High School I was given my IEP (Individual Education Program).  This allowed me the extra support I need to overcome obstacles in school, something similar was given to me for college after extensive testing was done by a certified psychologist to make sure I was getting everything I needed.  Only once did I ever fear that because of my disability would prevent me from furthering my education.  It was my senior year of High School when we had to take PSSA’s one last time.  My school had told me that everyone had to receive a score of proficient in order to graduate, if we didn’t we had to take a remediation course instead of an elective and then take the test again.  Of course I went into panic mode, I knew there was no way I was going to get the grade I needed.  Well I graduated with my class, only because I past the remediation course and received the same below basic score the first time I took the test.  

     This brings me to my topic, the No Child Left behind Act. It was because of this act that I almost did not graduate on time, it’s because of this act that many of my classmates did not graduate or had to take a remediation course like me.  As I stated in my who I am post I am currently a college student at Edinboro University studying to become an elementary special education teacher.  I have learned many things from my education classes, the one topic that we always discuss it testing.  In order to become a teacher in Pennsylvania you have to take certain courses and pass two praxis tests.  I have only taken one of the praxis tests so far and have yet to pass it. The next time I take the test will be in Januaray and it will be the fourth time taking it.  All these requirements fall under the No Child Left Behind Act and being highly quailified teachers. 


     As if we weren't making it hard enough for teachers, students are feeling the pressure as well.  Stadards for students maybe raising also by the year 2014 the AYP (Adequate Yearly Progress) is suppose to increase.  All students must score 100% on math, reading, writting.  All sub groups must pass, funding maybe cut from schools if AYP is not meet and state can take school.  It is jaw dropping to me that they expect all students to do this.  Is anyone thinking about those special needs stundents or what about those students in low income schools.  Today in my early childhood class we read an example from a PSSA reading sample.  We were told to go through and highlight any words or concepts that might be diffcult for urbain students to understand. As a class we found twenty possible problems and there could have been more.   


    I am more then a test and so are all those children like me. I feel I have so much to offer and that I would make a great teacher.  I just need to be given the chance, but changing the education world every year dose not make it easy for anyone.   When President Bush passed his No Child Left behind Act he in a way made it next to impossible for me and children like me to succeed in education.