McNerney, teachers discuss No Child Left Behind Act

Steve Sievers, right, a Tracy teacher, begins the discussion about the No Child Left Behind Act with Congressman Jerry McNerney, left, on Thursday afternoon. Educators met at the California Teachers Association in Stockton to voice their concerns. (Whitney Ramirez/News-Sentinel)

McNerney, teachers discuss No Child Left Behind Act

By Matt Brown
News-Sentinel Staff Writer

Saturday, May 5, 2007 7:07 AM PDT

Comments (10 comment(s))

Local educators told Rep. Jerry McNerney their concerns with the controversial No Child Left Behind Act during a meeting held here Friday.

After listening to the group, the Congressman announced he would create a panel of teachers and administrators to advise him on education policy.

Teachers say they are concerned that the act, now in its sixth year, sets unattainable standards and takes away from arts and science programs. They complain that the federal government underfunds the program.

McNerney, D-Pleasanton, said Congress is in the process of renewing the act with significant changes. He said he wanted to hear constituents' concerns so he can be better informed in Washington.

"No Child Left Behind has been a problem. We are aware of that in Congress," McNerney said at the California Teachers Association office. "There are a lot of concerns with where we are with No Child Left Behind. It's going to change."

Created by President Bush, NCLB places emphasis on standardized testing in reading and math. Schools that do not meet the standards come under added scrutiny. Under the legislation, all schools would have to meet standards by 2014.

The Lodi Unified School District has been named an underachieving district and has been on "program improvement" for two years.

McNerney said the act is driving teachers out of the profession.

"I think NCLB was administered in a cynical way," he said. "I think it's been hurtful. We need the proper investment in education."

Ken Davis, president of the Lodi Unified School District Board of Trustees, said he was pleased with McNerney's receptiveness to the educators' concerns.

"The policy affects what we do in the classroom," he said. "Sometimes the policy needs to be fixed. I'm just glad he's here to listen."

Teachers told McNerney that art and science instruction has been neglected because they are forced to teach to standardized tests.

"I teach guerilla style," Stockton teacher Chris Nelson said. "I use the little left over minutes for art, drama and social science. The culture of this testing is overwhelmingly stressful."

McNerney, a wind energy expert who was elected in November, admitted he wasn't an expert in education and asked for advice from the teachers.

"I want to ask teachers to form an advisory panel so that I can bring that expertise to Congress," he said. "I don't have the answers to everything."

The Congressman, who has advisory panels in health, business and agriculture, said he would try to meet with the education panel quarterly.

Lodi Education Association President Sue Kenmotsu said the meeting was encouraging.

"What shines a light of hope on a dark situation is that the Congressman is even here," she said. "It's clear that he is not an expert, but he wants to hear from teachers. We will be watching his actions and his follow-through."

Contact reporter Matt Brown at mattb@lodinews.com.

Reader Feedback

Mr. O wrote on May 7, 2007 8:32 AM:

" Under NCLB "success" is considered a student's "right," not something a student must earn. I teach at-risk kids in very tough city, these kids don't need to hear is that I am to blame when they can't pass a test. My lessons are full of hands-on learning activities, but I also track my students' progress and behavior, so I can tell you on any given day if a student was engaged in the lesson or had to sit in time-out. I'm doing my job. If a kid fails then that is on the kid, and his parents. "

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Disgusted with excuses! wrote on May 6, 2007 8:21 AM:

" Our kids have the educational level of gnats. You teach "reading" to middle school kids and don't have term papers but a "senior project", and you want to know why we are upset? Don't blame it on "english learners" or other excuses. The school system has FAILED. Its time to quit playing "patty cake" with students and start teaching. Listen to recent high school graduates (not GATE where you hide the smart ones from the slothful). "

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NCLB YES! wrote on May 6, 2007 8:13 AM:

" NCLB never required that school districts "teach to the test". Educators and teachers, Please forget about the tests and TEACH. When its time for us to see how well you have taught or children, just "take the test". What is the big deal? You whine more than the kids about tests. Let us taxpayers decide how to guide education. It is our educational system, NOT YOURS. YOU are accountable to us, not each other! Every government agency gets audited and reviewed, why can't you take "your medicine" like other bureaucrats? "

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Same Old Excuses for Failure wrote on May 6, 2007 8:07 AM:

" "No Child Left Behind" is a way to provide guidance to an "out of control education system". Teachers routinely use tests to assess student progress. Its ironic that teachers don't want to be tested for THEIR qualifications. The educational standards for teachers is low. What is wrong with having an Algebra teacher who know's Algebra and not Ping Pong? Many teachers have a college degree in either P.E. or "general", why is that? These were the easiest classes. Instead of rigorous academic coursework (degrees in real subjects), teachers hide behind "credentials". "

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More lame excuses for failing our kids wrote on May 6, 2007 8:06 AM:

" I dare most teachers to reveal their true education. What was your "degree major"? They will run away from that question and hide behind "portfolios" of teaching such as the NCLB HOUSSE requirements. If you were in the hospital for surgery, wouldn't you want your surgeon to be a REAL Medical Doctor with education and training instead of a "Badminton coach" with a "portfolio" of past "surgeries" and a "credential in "heart surgery"? WHAT A JOKE! "

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Same Old Excuses for Failure wrote on May 6, 2007 8:04 AM:

" "No Child Left Behind" is a way to provide guidance to an "out of control education system". Teachers routinely use tests to assess student progress. Its ironic that teachers don't want to be tested for THEIR qualifications. The educational standards for teachers is low. What is wrong with having an Algebra teacher who know's Algebra and not Ping Pong? Many teachers have a college degree in either P.E. or "general", why is that? These were the easiest classses. Instead of rigorous academic coursework (degrees in real subjects), teachers hide behind "credentials". "

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Nice Try wrote on May 6, 2007 7:45 AM:

" Educrats and teachers don't want to be accountable. Okay educators HOW DO YOU THINK you should be held accountable for billions of dollaras of tax money? "

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Charles wrote on May 5, 2007 10:36 PM:

" Congressman McNerney should also get input from parents...Most parents like the fact that teachers now must get to the standards...without testing there was little accountability...Mr. Nelson finds it "...overwhelmingly stressful..."?? What a whining windbag...if THAT'S overwhelming the guy is pretty weak... "

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Chandler Lehman III wrote on May 5, 2007 8:39 PM:

" The most responsible thing the Democrats could do is eliminate the unproductive, wasteful, do-nothing federal department of education and return power to the states and municipalities. You want the same people that run Social Security running your schools ?? "

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wtf wrote on May 5, 2007 12:12 PM:

" This "No Child Left Behind" bill was just a way for Bush to get names of students and bodies for his endless war(s). Part of this bill stipulates that schools receiving funding must turn student names over to recruiters unless parents specifically ask their child's name be removed. "

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