Dan Greenberg's "Standards takes 'normal' out of child's reach" offers an interesting historical perspective on how government intervention into education has resulted in unintended consequences...and looks at what NCLB may be doing now along similar veins.
An unintended consequence of standardization of school curricula and tests has been the relegation of a huge proportion of our children (more than 20 percent, and growing) to the category of "learning-disabled" youngsters, many with little confidence in their potential or in their future. By trying to leave no child behind, we are in fact leaving an ever growing number of children not only behind, but unable ever to have the confidence in their ability to catch up with their "normal" peers.
Mr. Greenberg is singing my song. If I had to apply NCLB-type standards regarding the integration of technology to our army of educators, I suspect that we would discover far too many teachers feeling left behind and "unable ever to have the confidence in their ability to catch up with their normal peers". And who-the-heck wants normal teachers anyway!...those who had the greatest impact on my learning were far from normal and were extraordinarily unique individuals.
Soooo (tongue in cheek), that opens a way that we can legislate our way out of this dilema...why not redefine the word child to include something like having the ability to keep up with the 80% of individuals who are considered normal. The other 20% would no longer be considered normal or called children, but would be labeled UI (unique individuals). Historically, we (as a country) have taken pride in our unique individuals (as I pointed out, many turn out to be great teachers)...besides, passing a NUILB (No Unique Individual Legislated Behind) would almost make sense! (I did say almost, didn't I?)
Note to self: Rant more often...it feels good!