The No Child Left Behind Act is supposed to ensure that all children are successful learners. But as long as kids are required to learn material they are not ready for or that is being taught in a way that is counter to their learning styles, more and more students will continue to be left behind.
Ventura, CA (PRWEB) August 6, 2004 -- The No Child Left Behind Act is supposed to ensure that all children are successful learners. So what's the problem?
Intention of the No Child Left Behind Act: Make sure all kids learn.
Problem: All kids are being required to learn the same things at the same time in the same way. The requirements for each grade level are getting stricter and testing is being emphasized more and more.
Results: Because children learn differently and are at different developmental stages, "one-size-fits-all" education does not work. Kids feel more and more pressure from teachers and parents to learn material they are either not ready for or that is being taught in a way that is counter to their learning styles. Then they are tested on material they were not able to learn. These kids are being set up for failure—and so are their teachers!
Solution:
1. Teach reading, writing, and other skills at appropriate developmental stages. Most kids are not ready for reading or writing until they are 8 or 9 years old—forcing them before they are ready then labeling them with a learning disability label is not only counterproductive but damaging to these children.
2. Teach the way kids learn. In any classroom, 50% to 60% of all students are hands-on/movement learners; another 20% are picture learners. Textbooks and traditional testing don't work for the majority of students!
America's Learning-Success Coaches, Victoria Kindle Hodson and Mariaemma Willis want to make sure that ALL kids are successful learners. Here is what they have to say:
"There is no reason why all students can't learn effectively. We know too much from brain research NOT to apply the strategies that help ALL kids learn, not just a handful in each classroom. The present strategies—strict grade level requirements and more and more testing—aren't working. It's time to start focusing on each child's learning success, rather than school and district testing success. This is the only way to truly ensure that no child is left behind."
For additional information contact Learning-Success Institute, 805-648-1739, www.learningsuccesscoach.com
Victoria Kindle Hodson & Mariaemma Willis are the co-founders of the Learning-Success Institute and authors of the best-selling book, Discover Your Childs Learning Style ($19.95, ISBN 0-7615-2013-9—available in most bookstores and at their website—www.learningsuccesscoach.com). The authors are available for book signings, media appearances, and speaking engagements.
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