Truespeak

Have you ever stopped to think what it would be like if the principles of the No Child Left Behind Act were applied to other things? I hadn't really considered this until I checked my mail today and found this:

No Student-Athlete Left Behind

1. All teams must make the state playoffs. If a team does not win the championship, they will be on probation until they are the champions. Until that time, the coaches will be held accountable.
   
2. ALL students will be expected to have the same athletic skills at the same time no matter the quality of their training facilities or equipment. No exceptions will be made for athletes who show no interest in sports and have no desire to perform athletically. Students with physical disabilities will not be exempted from participating. All students must perform at a proficient level. Period.
   
3. Talented athletes will be asked to work out on their own without direct instruction. They will be required to attend all practices even though they will probably not be utilized to their full potential. Coaches will be required to devote all of their instructional time to the athletes that aren't interested in sports, have limited athletic ability, or whose parents don't support their athletic endeavors.
   
4. Games will be played year round, but statistics will only be kept for the 4th, 8th, and 11th games.

This will create a new age of student athletes. Every school will be expected to produce the same level of talent and all teams will be required to meet the minimal goals set forth here.

Sounds pretty ridiculous doesn't it? The worst part of this is that it's true. The goals set forth by NCLB are no more realistic than the farcical example set forth here.

This particular example ended with a statement that I think really sums up the state of education today. It said:

If no child gets ahead, then no child will be left behind.

Sad isn't it? It's too bad that the best our country can do is to strive for mediocrity.

Thanks George!