NCLB And Poor Econony Are A Bad Mix For Technology

No Child Left Behind: sounds good but is it really working?

I know there is a lot of controversary regarding NCLB. I have come to believe that the intention of NCLB is positive but the reality just is inadequate. With such a focus on test scores many important things in curriculum are falling to the waist side. "Unfortunately, the No Child Left Behind legislation and the economic situation of the past few years have been slowing, and in some places reversing, progress in these types of uses of educational technology. The focus on standardized testing as the sole measure of success by students, teachers, and schools has caused many educators to focus on how technology can be used to increase test scores, rather than how they can best prepare children for their lives in the 21st century." (2004. p.249. Kleiman) It is unfortunate that such focus on test scores is required to ensure that all students are meeting requirements. Classes are large and money is at stake so what alternative does the administration have? They need to have high test scores, but does it have to be at the cost of infusing technology into the curriculum? I do not see it as necessarily a bad thing when test scores are improved by using technology but I believe that only teaching for tests is not a good idea for a comprehensive education. If teachers are only using technology to increase test scores there is definitley a problem.

In addition, this testing wave has occurred during a difficult economic period that has resulted in a significant drop in the funding available for technology resources and innovations. (2004. p.249. Kleiman) We are seeing less money being allocated to technology in schools so what the schools have must be used to its fullest capacity. Funding is needed to ensure resources are being used properly. We have heard this time and time again, there is not enough money. Is that the only problem? I am not so sure.

I really feel like poor funding and the problems inherent in NCLB are highlighted as Geroge W. Bush stated in his educational platform there exists a “soft bigotry of low expectations,” Bush replaced this with the hard bigotries of inadequate funding, a poor understanding of the nature of educational and social inequality," (2005. p.165. Karen) There is more to our educational problems than just NLCB, poor funding and exploitation of technology. I think it come down to the basic notion of, what is important? Is it important to us that all students graduate can read, if so we must act to make it happen. I know this is a huge undertaking  and looking at it in the face is daunting but what other choice do we have?


Citations

Karen, D. (2005). No Child Left Behind? Sociology Ignored!. Sociology of Education, 78(2), 165. Retrieved from ERIC database.
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Kleiman, G.M. (2004). Myths and realities about technology in k-12 schools: Five years later.
Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 4(2), 248-253.