Senate Panel Rejects Reading Initiative
Associated Press - Wed 03:40 AM 02/27/2013
Opponents say school districts already have the authority to hold students back.
TOPEKA, Kan. (AP) - A Kansas Senate committee has narrowly rejected a proposal by Governor Sam Brownback to hold back third grade pupils who aren't able to meet the state standard for reading.
The 6-5 vote Tuesday means the bill remains in the Senate Education Committee, where its prospects for the remainder of the session are uncertain.
Brownback's plan would have barred promotion to fourth grade for third graders who fail to read at a proficient level on state tests. The bill also included a grant system for early education programs aimed at boosting reading skills.
Opponents of the bill questioned its impact on students and the lack of parental involvement in the decision to hold students back a grade. Others say school districts already have the authority to retain students.
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Iamgonnagetyou
Wednesday 27 February 2013 08:33 Report this comment
Really so the teachers teaching these kids to read are not held responsible for these kids inability to not meet the standards. So what is wrong with all of this? Evidently our govenor wants to put targets on the kids backs instead of the teachers backs.
DamiStac
Wednesday 27 February 2013 09:27 Report this comment
Uh... seriously? It's 100% the teacher's fault hmm? What about the parents? What about the student? Do you really think a teacher wants a kid who cannot read (or chooses not to try to learn) in their class for another year? This is actually one of the FEW things I support from Brownhack. The problem is there's no consequences in our school system for parents and students. There are plenty for teachers, the way we feel inside about ourselves when students aren't performing to the best of THEIR abilities should be enough, not to mention the unlimited number of "bosses" (parents) every teacher has to answer to. When I was a kid (not all to long ago) kids were held back if they weren't able to complete the basic tasks of that grade level. Now, if you tell someone you'd like to hold a student back, it's almost an instant "reconsideration" of your contract.
DamiStac
Wednesday 27 February 2013 13:12 Report this comment
Perhaps a less upset explanation is this: parents and students rarely think long term when it comes to education and when the poverty level increases goals become more and more short term. Teachers all generally think long term, "How is this kid going to be able to function beyond this grade level.". If we can somehow either make the students and parents think "long term" or make bad choices (such as not reading at home) become more of an issue then the parents and students will try harder. By the way the exception to all rules educationally speaking is good parents, good parents often view all choices and decisions as a long term effect.