No Child Left Behind Act.
 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/No_Child_Left_Behind_Act

I couldn't possibly be any more annoyed with this act. As a highschool Junior, I'm a first-hand witness of what it's doing to students, and I can't help but be concerned.

I feel that teachers are investing far too much time on students who are uninterested in their personal education. This act, essentially, enforces that teachers focus on the class average as a whole, by pulling the slackers' grades up. There are people who don't even want to attend school being pushed through , and recieving more focus than the students who wish to further their education.

Now, this doesn't necessarily apply to me. I'm not looking for sympathy. Though, I have noted several of my friends have amazing potential, and they're being completely ignored, because the school has to focus on the less interested students, who could care less whether they graduated or not.

This bothers me, considering these students who would rather be at home than school, are being lifted to graduation on a high-velocity tram, while the true intellects are being forced to walk the distance, unassisted.

In my opinion, teachers should be spending their time completely devoted to the students who have intentions of furthering their knowledge, and advancing into respectable careers. However, this act is doing the exact opposite. Teacher attention is being diverted away from the eager-to-learn, and being turned towards the students who have expired their potential just waking up in the mornings.

I'm just curious as to whether anyone finds this as discouraging as I do?
Express your opinions, please! :D

[Edited for spelling/grammar corrections.]

I have to deal with this shit to but, because im smart enough to figure out most assignments, I have no grudge with the people who have no interest in education, do as I do and take comfort in the fact that someday you have a good chance of being their boss somewhere further along the line.

Because of that you have control whether you will give them another check to support the drug habit they developed due to the incredible strain of being in a world that without a certain amount of knowledge they have no place in it, other than to become the dregs of that society.

But, you see, that's my problem...

These unmotivated people are being given diplomas, simply because their teachers are pushing them along. What I'm afraid is, these people who are completely unworthy of graduation may become MY boss, because of the effect this act has on education.

How is this new? I've seen the same problem for the twelve years I've been in the public education system. It's part of the burden that comes with being flagrantly gifted, I guess. The only difference is that schools and teachers are getting paid more for their efforts, which is good.

All I know is that for seven years, the best day I had in school was the day I had in school suspension. This was in fourth grade. I did my day's worth of work in an hour and read and doodled the rest of the time. It was awesome.

True intellectuals, last I checked, wouldn't need to be 'assisted' through the elementary rigours of high school. The less advantaged should still get a basic education. I'm not sure what the rules are on dropping out, but those that really don't want to be there, will do so.

Teacher attention should be on the average, not going one way or another, to me. Those devoted to furthering their knowledge have means of doing so, both in high school and more importantly in post-secondary education. If I had to choose between helping the gifted kids and helping the...uh..."less gifted" kids, I would choose the latter. That doesn't mean I'm against gifted programs, but those smart little nuggets will find a way (scholarships?).

I'm not saying the "less gifted" should be ignored, you've misunderstood me.
I mentioned that I feel..

That doesn't apply to only intellectuals. The "less gifted" have goals and ambitions, last time I checked. And I never once said that teachers should avoid focusing on these students. My view is, teachers should avoid focusing on the students who DON'T have ambitions, who would rather be somewhere else than learning. That's my problem with this particular act, that teachers are spending more time with students who don't care, than with the people who want to achieve something.

Azisien said just want I wanted to say. If you're really smart, and not just some faker, or ignoring your education, you won't need ANY help through Highschool. Other than your parent's for homework once in a while.

I'm all for making stupid children have to redo a year, again and again if they have to. Let the consequences of being stupid fall upon their heads!

And I'm not talking about special ed people. Just so you know.

Ok, and it's really possible to pretty much SLEEP through highscool, and get A's. The only reason I'm not getting A's is because I'm taking College classes for my highschool ciriculum. And they're a bunch harder.

Ok, ok. I may have misused the word "Intellectuals", and in doing so, altered the way my view was expressed. Please, disregard "true Intellectuals", and in it's stead, insert "truly interested".

Also, Azisien, I might add, because of the No Child Left Behind act, the "Student Dropout Prevention Program" has been established. Meaning, anyone with intentions of dropping out will be coaxed into staying enrolled, no matter the circumstances.

And those who try to drop out will be restrained with tranquilizers and beaten with nerf bats in a back room until they sign a contract stating they'll finish high school?

People who have NO intention of learning, as defined by you, will probably drop out (or they're just lucky enough to scrap by). But there will be a crowd who want to drop out but shouldn't (bandwagon effect, too kool 4 skool, whatever). I know nothing of what this Prevention Program entails, but I imagine it ends up helping a lot of kids in the short and long term. There are really only three broad ways of doing high school: Accelerated (Gifted), Normal (go to class, repeat, get diploma, probably go to post-secondary), Sub-par (don't want to learn, aren't motivated enough to learn, are of below average intelligence, etc).

To me, those in the sub-par category need all the help. You said you aren't against that, so that's cool, but at the same time I don't see how the "motivated" are so ignored?

Azisien,

I believe the requirements for dropping out are that you have to be of 18 years or older, the general Senior age. Meaning, people who are against attending school would have to attend until the age of 18, which would require a minimal of 2~3 years enrollment, unless they they're under that set age-limit. Then, I believe, a parent approval is required, and in most cases, parents won't allow their children to drop out. So, the people you keep insisting will drop out, CAN'T, unless certain prerequisites are met.

But, aside from that, you keep including those of lower-intelligence in the particular group I'm targeting; Those who don't want to learn.
And that couldn't be further from the truth! Just because they're of lower intellect doesn't mean they don't deserve the opportunity to learn, and as I'm arguing, the attention they deserve is being consumed by, guess what, the people who DON'T WANT TO BE THERE. (Who I'm arguing are undeserving of the teachers time.)

Students below average intelligence need assistance. That's certain. And I believe, that because of this act, they're being neglected. Teachers have to focus on increasing the grades of those who don't care, instead of focusing on those of the students below average intelligence, due to the NCLB act. That's wrong. Very wrong.

Perhaps you should re-read my argument, and assess what I'm saying, instead of instantly jumping to conclusions and assuming that I'm saying, "Stupid people don't deserve education.", because that's wrong. The entire basis of my argument is that "People who don't want an education shouldn't get one."

And I'm sure you're thinking, "Oh, but those people deserve a chance, if they're willing to take the step towards correcting their mistakes. Those who make bad decisions at first still deserve second chances."
I'm not going to debate that, for I feel that's 100% correct.

But I'm not talking about those people. I'm talking about the people who are currently enrolled, and can't drop out, but act as if they want to, and are seeking no second chance.