What we learned in regards to NCLB:
- NCLB is a 670 page legal document that is difficult to understand
- NCLB is non-partisan and is undergoing some changes, but it is not going away.
- Government regulations are not an American phenomenon, BBC World Have Your Say
- Federal mandates interpretations vary from state to state, district to district, maybe even school to school.
What we learned in regards to the IEP process:
- Some school districts mandate that all IEP goals be of academic nature, others districts say no academics on preschool IEP's.
- Hard, measurable data is easier to track and mark progress.
- Parents generally feel that the "school knows best" and they do not question what is on the IEP.
What we learned in regards to "best practices":
- We CAN engage our students in developmentally appropriate practice with confidence.
- NCLB has good points. We will not let others (administrators, parents, other teachers) tell us "You must do _______ because of NCLB law."
- We know that play is an important part of the learning process, and we are ready to defend this statement.
- Quality preschool programs benefit children by reducing rates of retention and special education placement. But we must have QUALITY programs for this to happen.
- Teaching academic skills to preschoolers has the potential of doing more harm than good because it takes away young children's enthusiasm about learning.
- Focusing so much on academic skills at the preschool level takes away from promoting creative thinking, social competence, physical and emotional well being.