In Utah, students of color need colorful teaching.As some education organizations agree that No Child Left Behind has a worthy cause, the law's mandates and lack of enough federal funding are not helping minority students--even those in Utah. At Westminster College Westminster College may refer to: In the United Kingdom:
Study beyond the level of secondary education. Institutions of higher education include not only colleges and universities but also professional schools in such fields as law, theology, medicine, business, music, and art. officials discussed the impact of NCLB NCLB No Child Left Behind (US education initiative) on students of color not of the white race; - commonly meaning, esp. in the United States, of negro blood, pure or mixed. See also: Color . Irene Ota, a professor of diversity issues at the College of Social Work at the University of Utah The University of Utah (also The U or the U of U or the UU), located in Salt Lake City, is the flagship public research university in the state of Utah, and one of 10 institutions that make up the Utah System of Higher Education. , says the standards asked of all students "have always been white, middle class standards," which is unfair to other students. "Is this helping children of color? Not with the standards ... and what is being promoted," Ota says. Joyce Sibbett, associate professor of education at Westminster College, says while the Bush administration touts a narrowed achievement gap under NCLB, the reality is middle school student grades have declined. NCLB measures achievement, revealing gaps between whites and students of color, while ignoring what is essential: more effective teaching and learning strategies that appeal to students of color, Sibbett adds "Schools need more emphasis on effective pedagogy that is culturally appropriate and meaningful to children of color: more teachers of color are needed who could coach students on ways to successfully navigate between family and school culture," she says. The National Education Association is also teaming up with the Tom Joyner Thomas "Tom" Joyner (born November 23, 1949) is an American radio host. His daily program, The Tom Joyner Morning Show, is syndicated across the United States and heard by over ten million radio listeners. He is married to fitness guru Donna Richardson. Foundation to offer financial assistance and professional development to help teachers who are working under provisional certification to be fully certified, according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. Joel Packer packer /pack·er/ (pak´er) an instrument for introducing a dressing into a cavity or a wound. pack·er n. 1. An instrument for tamponing. 2. See plugger. . NEA's policy expert. On the positive side of the panel discussion, Sibbett says, school administrators noted that NCLB has shed light on some under-funded schools. www.nea.org/teachexperience/ careguide.html SOLUTIONS * Keeping high expectations while accommodating for language barriers * Giving students a chance to bring their home cultures into school * Giving students more time to work collaboratively and build a classroom community beyond the classroom walls GIVING CARE The National Education Association has developed a new guide, C.A.R.E.: Strategies for Closing the Achievement Gaps. C.A.R.E, or Culture, Abilities, Resilience and Effort, is designed to help educators reflect on the causes of disparity in achievement and find ways to improve academic success with innovative, research-based instructional strategies. |
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