MEA-MFT criticizes "No child" report cards

Citing unsound methods and unprecedented federal intrusion into Montana's schools, MEA-MFT President Eric Feaver roundly criticized the first report cards mandated by the Bush Administration's "No Child Left Behind Act."

(Bozeman Chronicle agrees)

The report cards, released in August, reported that some 20 percent of Montana's schools are "failing to make adequate yearly progress" as required under the new federal law.

"Any teacher in Montana knows when a student is failing," said Feaver. "So do parents. They don't need the federal government to look over their shoulders and label students and schools."

Feaver noted that the vast majority of Montana schools-80 percent-made the grade.

"We believe all schools should have high expectations for all students and hold teachers accountable for helping children learn," he said.

"But we support accountability measures that look at the whole situation, not just standardized tests. For years, MEA-MFT has worked to raise academic standards, mentor new teachers, and provide professional development for all teachers. We know these measures work."

Look at the whole picture
Feaver said No Child Left Behind relies too much on standardized tests that force "teaching to the test" and interfere with real learning. "We think students should be judged by all their work-homework, participation, oral presentations-not just one test score on one day," he said.

Adequate yearly progress sounds reasonable at first glance, but when you look closely at this mandate, you'll find it seriously flawed, Feaver said.

"Under this law, a school can have outstanding student performance overall, but if it doesn't show progress with every subgroup of students, including our most at-risk students, the school is deemed a failure. If one or two kids don't show up on testing day, the school could be deemed a failure."

For example, Feaver pointed to an elementary school in Florida's Hillsborough County, where two students were absent when the test was given. Therefore, the school tested only 94 percent of black students, not 95 percent as required by the feds, and it failed. (Tampa Tribune, Aug. 18, 2003).

"That's a prime example of why this law has met vehement opposition from parents, educators, Republicans, and Democrats alike," Feaver said.

Even use of the term "failed" is flawed, according to Feaver. Under the law, if schools don't show "adequate yearly progress," they are designated as "needing improvement."

"That certainly doesn't mean the school is failing," Feaver said. "Mislabeling a school as a 'failure' can demoralize students, educators, parents, and the community. That does no good."

According to Feaver, Montana will be forced to spend millions of dollars to test students. No Child Left Behind covers less than half the cost.

More learning, not more red tape
"What our schools really need are smaller class sizes, safe classrooms, better teacher salaries and training, and more parent involvement, not millions wasted on testing and bureaucracy," he said.

MEA-MFT has been working for common-sense changes to the No Child Left Behind Act. These include less emphasis on "adequate yearly progress" mandates, with real assistance for schools where students are struggling most.