April 4 Current Events- Erin's Article: Schools Cut Back Subjects to Push Reading and Math

Erin's Article : School Cut Back Subjects to Push Reading and Math by Sam Dillon:



The NCLB federal law has created an atmosphere of accountability by school districts. Although in the long run, not necessarily negative, it does however alter how subjects are addressed in the curriculum. These types of decisions by states and districts have a direct impact on subjects such as history and science, which are often placed on the back burner; especially during testing times. This emphasis sends a message to both students and parents that subjects other than math and language arts are not as necessary for a well -rounded education. Dillon cites an example at the Martin Luther King Jr. HS, in a poor neighborhood in Sacramento, CA that "about 150 of the school's 885 students spend five of their six class periods on math, reading, and gym,leaving only one 55 -minute period for all other subjects". Although this represents only 17% of the student body, those students are receiving a limited education and in some ways are being cheated. Not having been exposed, these students do not even know if they would enjoy these other subjects or even understand what it is they are missing. Yet, Mr. Buchanan, the superintendent of the Grant Joint Union HS, that is also responsible for the Jr HS, did receive the CA 2005 superintendent of the year award for successfully raising both math and reading test scores over several years.