Reader comments
Orem school is example of NCLB success

This isn't a NCLB success; this is teachers and administrators doing what they can to help children. NCLB is a nice theory, but horrible in practice. Since when is failing achieving 99.5 percent of what's required?

It isn't NCLB that is the success in Orem, but the teachers, students, and parents that are making Orem a success.

We live in the Atlanta area and the schools are a disaster. NCLB has little to do with Orem's success. In fact, it can be argued that in the Atlanta area, NCLB is leaving children behind at a shocking rate.

I wish this help could be given at our school. Sounds like a wonderful program. Just not enough money for that kind of help in a non-Title One school. It's too bad. We still have children who need this help, just not enough of them. When you have 30 kids in a classroom, how do you help those who need small groups, yet ingore the rest of your class?

To still be meeting NCLB standards at this late date in the game, Sharon and/or district must have set their beginning levels at ridiculously low levels (below actual standard scores). Thus they've had years to continue to improve and meet NCLB AYP benchmarks. In addition, ELL needs differ from English tests made for American English speakers. Yes, we'd like ELLs to learn English as well as anyone. No, teaching to the test to get the passing scores is not appropriate. The article or principal states that passing NCLB is a by-product of good teaching. That sounds great! I commend the extra time and one-on-one spent with ELLs and others with needs. However, the standards for a standardized English test is not the immediate goal for migrant working ELL families and recent immigrants. These English tests that meet NCLB were not designed as integration/assimilation products for ELLs. They're designed for first language English speakers. Of course there is no mention of what the school is doing for their L1 needs and bilingual abilities. Hopefully, this is not a "forget your first language abilities and literacy level and study English-only"

"To still be meeting NCLB standards at this late date in the game, Sharon and/or district must have set their beginning levels at ridiculously low levels (below actual standard scores). Thus they've had years to continue to improve and meet NCLB AYP benchmarks."

Source? - or are you just speculating/gossiping?

I don't have Sharon's specific scores over the years. They're obtainable. However, I have knowledge of multiple school districts with similar situations. If Sharon has to continually show a certain amount of progress (AYP) then their excellent strategy will not overcome NCLB demands. They will get to a certain percentage and then taper off and/or not have the percent space to move up. I'm not a statistician but that's common sense. Hence, a variety of schools were able to see this situation from the beginning. Some schools took the high road and set benchmarks high because they felt they could meet them. However, they were able to do it for a few years and then ran into this problem. Other schools realized the false premise of the system and set benchmarks quite low; hence, they were able to show AYP for many, many years. In addition, pressure is put on administrators and from there teachers to always "change" the practice when the score is not met. Thus, Sharon's good strategy may be out the window in a year or two when they don't meet NCLB AYP. Doesn't meet ELL needs!!

This school has a good idea, but I don't think it has anything to do with NCLB. Utah should get out of NCLB asap.

Schools don't set their own NCLB benchmarks. They are required to make a certain percentage of growth each year from where they were the previous year. This has been the case since the beginning of NCLB. If a school started with a low baseline, it was because their students were performing poorly on the test at that time.

The effects of a good administrator hiring the right sort of people and then doing the job they are supposed to do is evident at Sharon Elementary. So often a school fails simply because they have hired on people that should not be teaching from an administrator who should be working at Walmart and not a school. Great job Sharon Elementary!!

I worked and taught at this school for close to 2 years - first as a student teacher, then as an aide, and finally as a kindergarten teacher. I have never seen more teachers who are more devoted to their students. I can assure you that while yes they do teach to the test, they also go above and beyond that. These teachers care so much about their students, you would be so amazed. At this school they care about every aspect of the child's future. Linda Anderson has set spectacular goals for this school and she helps her staff reach these goals. The staff is very well trained to work with ELL students. Many of the teachers have their ESL endorsement and a masters degree. This school has achieved great success because they have worked very hard to gain it. I am so grateful that I got to be a part of this wonderful school and district. And just in case you are wondering, I did not return to teaching so I could raise my son. And Linda Anderson was incredibly supportive seeing that she had done the same thing for her children.

I never understood the teaching to the test comments.

What are we supposed to teach if not the stuff that will be on the test?