Padron, the author of the commentary titled No Child Left Behind Thwarts Refugees, points out that the NCLB Act does not address the needs or realities of refugee students, categorized as Students with Interrupted Formal Education (SIFE). According to Padron, "SIFE children enter the district at all grade levels throughout the academic year and are placed according to chronological age. So, a 10-year-old enters at fifth grade and a 15-year-old at 10th grade, depending on birth date. These students spent most of their lives running and in refugee camps where they may have received some but little formal schooling." I do not disagree with placing children according to age. I think inclusion is important for all children and that it promotes peace and social justice as long as the resources for meeting these children's needs are available to their schools and communities.
Concerning both SIFE children and ESL children, the author also points out that "Regardless of country or language, all students receive the one-year waiver and then are given grade-level exams under No Child Left Behind." This aspect of the NCLB must create a lot of stress on any school with SIFE and/or ESL students. Research shows that such children need instruction in their native language as they learn English and that it can take five to seven years to reach the proficiency to learn course content in English. As Padron emphasizes, "Many of these [SIFE] children are suffering from post-traumatic shock disorder and a host of health issues - not to mention their academic needs based on NCLB expectations. This is a fatal shortcoming of NCLB that needs further attention." I'll say!
Read the commentary: No Child Left Behind Thwarts Refugees
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
2 comments:
I have never heard of 'thwart refugees' as a part of the NCLB. Based on your posting, I'm not sure if I would agree that they should be placed in to classes based solely on their age. This is a touchy subject. For the child to socially adapt, it would probably be in the best interest of the child to keep him/her with others of the same age. However, if itis educating the child that is of importance, then placing a child in an appropriate grade level based of their previous education may be more appropriate. This would have to have a limit though. You wouldn't want to place a student that by age would be in 10th grade in to a 5th grade class because of their performance. That is not socially just, but you could put the student in 8th or 9th grade and provide a greater education. Just a thought.
After hearing this I don't agree that the students should be placed in a grade level based on their age. I feel that there should be some alternative placement for these students. You are right that inclusion is important but it is also important to give them the proper education. They are being set up for failure by being placed in a grade just based on their age. Especially since they have had little education in the past.
Post a Comment