Rhode Island Children Left Behind

I have never written a letter to an editor or elected official on a public issue. I feel like in order for me to really sit down and write a response to an official I would really have to be fired up about an issue. One issue in particular that would probably get me to engage is public education. I do not like the direction in which our state is heading in terms of public schools and graduation requirements. Like many of my peers I am guilty of complaining and not acting. I think my peers have a way of complaining and acting informally through outlets such as social networking sites. I've noticed as Ive gotten older and my passion has gotten stronger I have become more prone to act on certain situations. I personally do not think young adults are disengaged but I do feel they are often times slow in reacting issues that indirectly affect us.
Public Education has been an issue in the United States for decades.Federal and State officials have struggled to determine a way of adequately educating students around America. In 2001 under the Bush administration the No Child Left Behind Act was designed to help students progress in school. Under this act students in public schools are required to meet basic performance skills which is tested in the form of standardized testing ans opposed to the old grading system. With the new standards students are expected to achieve shifts the accountability from the students to the teachers and administrators.

More recently in Rhode Island there has been proposals to hold teachers more accountable for the low test scores on standardized tests such as the NECAP. In 2010 School officials laid off all the teachers in Central Falls Senior High School laid as well as the Teachers in Providence Schools in 2011. As a former public school student and a future educator I do not agree with the recent steps our state and federal government is taking to improve education in across the country. Particularly in RI, teachers are beginning to solely teach their students based on testing materials. Since they are being held accountable for how their students do on the tests, they disregard the basics of education that a student needs.

These changes and accountability has me concerned for the future of the American Public Education System. There are so many issues with making standardized testing a requirement to receive a high school diploma. Passing a test should not be the determining factor for students to progress to the next grade level. Public Education in Rhode Island is the issue I wish to discuss during this course. I feel that there needs to be a re-evaluation of these standards students and teachers are expected to achieve.