OKAY here is the perfect NCLB talking point

[proud2BlibKansan]

NCLB mandates that within ten years, 100% of kids in grades 3 through 8 must be proficient in both Reading and Math. 100% means ALL kids. So even kids who don't speak English and kids who are severely retarded must read at a 'proficient level'. That means on grade level. School districts are allowed to exempt only 2% of all kids from the testing. Kids who have been in the US less than a year will not be tested.

I am a special ed teacher and that 2% will NOT cover all severely retarded kids. Not even close. And kids need more than a year to learn to speak English.

I have been having an ongoing NCLB debate with a freeper on another discussion board who just bashes teachers, says we need vouchers, teachers are just making excuses and don't like NCLB, etc, etc. I am sure you all have heard all their talking points.

Finally, yesterday, I shut him up when I asked him if he thought a kid with an IQ of 20 could learn to read as well as his non-disabled peers. Because that is what NCLB says, 100% must be proficient. And he shut right up. BINGO!!