Hello and good afternoon to all members of the Florida State Board of Education who are with us today. First, I would like to introduce myself. My name is Alicia Brown and I am an advocate for the educational environment of No Child Left Behind. The word teacher can be defined in the dictionary as somebody who teaches, especially as a profession. Today, I would like read a list of words to you, words that come to mind when I think of the word teacher: enthusiastic, prepared, punctual, supportive and concerned, consistent, polite, kind, firm and in control, humble, and fair. To me, these words describe the very characteristics of a GREAT teacher, all of which I strive to possess. I am a second grade teacher at a small school in Ocala, Florida and am a promoter of the education environment that No Child Left Behind brings to our classrooms. Today I am going to talk to you about my thoughts regarding No Child Left Behind, the very words that guide me as a teacher and my classroom, as well as, the challenges that affect my daily delivery of necessary information to my students. Also, I want to express some ideas that I believe will alleviate some of these challenges.
The environment in our classrooms since the enactment of NCLB has changed and improved in many ways. The impact is undeniable. I believe the environment is now one that challenges and builds the minds of our children. They are pushed year after year to be the best they can be. Teachers are no longer able to “push students through” with such ease. All students are tested with a standardized test and the results are measurable. NCLB now allows the spot light to shine on the “highly qualified teachers” that we want in the classrooms and exposes those who are not. I believe that it created a clearer cut sense of consistency within the classroom, schools, and ultimately grade levels across the United States. I also believe that it puts our parents at ease knowing that their child is going to...