NCLB is an interesting concept but is poorly designed and orchestrated, and has become a tangled mess of laws, assessment requirements and bumbling classroom implementations. It has actually had the opposite effect of its original intent, to put the most qualified teachers into the classrooms. Apparently the word "qualified" has many meanings and is an easily manipulated term.
Here is what NCLB means to me:
As a special education teacher, I have paperwork (completed by my supervisor and on file with the district and state) that awards me the dubious distinction of "Highly Qualified Teacher" (HQT) in math, science, social studies and english. Now, I have a degree in journalism and a reading specialist certification, among other state teaching licenses. Wouldn't you think I would be best qualified to teach language arts in a special education setting?
NCLB says "not necessarily so."
Of course, I am not teaching language arts. Here's the reason why - brand new teachers, and those teaching a few years, are not generally HQT in all subject areas. This is especially problematic in special education, where we have to teach ALL subjects. Because my coworkers are not HQT in certain subject areas, I am now teaching math and science, both in resource and inclusion settings. I do enjoy these subject areas and feel I am learning and doing a good job, but they are not my preference nor my field of expertise.
That's just one example of a real-life application of NCLB.
I'm generally not a whiner and complainer in my district. I try to fly under the radar most of the time. One of my principals calls me "low maintenance," a compliment of sorts if you consider not causing much trouble a tremendous distinction.
Not to scare pre-service teachers, but just be aware of NCLB and what it could mean for you in the classroom, particularly in K-8 classrooms and in special education settings. Many districts are asking for HQT in subject areas even in the lower elementary classrooms.
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This is some really interesting information, and good to keep in mind-I hadn't really heard of HQT before either. Thanks for the insight.
ReplyDeleteWith respect to special education, I hadn't thought of the difficulty of special education as being contigent on teaching all subject and the pressure associated with that. Not only is there pressure to teach all subject, but a pressure to teach them to children with learning disabilities AND fit it to NCLB restrictions. I never considered this issue before or how it related to urban ed. I decided NOT to teach elementary school age children because I couldn't see myself teaching all subjects equally. I really only consider myself proficient in History and English. There's no path open for you to work in a LA Replacement room? Would you be comfortable there? Thanks for the insight on this.
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ReplyDeleteYou should get your history and english certifications so you could teach at the middle and high school levels.
ReplyDeleteI agree that elementary ed is difficult because you have no choice but to teach all subjects.
Unfortunately, special ed is the same way. It's the luck of the draw which subjects you're assigned to. It's usually based on what you're HQT in, which does not make you an expert - or subject certified - in that area.