Hello all students! My name ZombieX, I am twelve years old and I am in seventh grade. The purpose of this blog is to allow our generation (a.k.a. America’s future) to express ourselves on the issues of education in the United States and to be informed on this topic regularly. Have you ever noticed that whenever the subject of education is brought up, only the adults have done all the talking? Don’t you think they have done enough blabbering? And they say we talk too much. Wait a second, aren’t they the ones who screwed things up for America? Think about it: global warming, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economic crisis, the energy crisis, and of course the downfall of education. All of this happened on their watch. Aren’t we the customers of education? Shouldn’t we have a say in our future and America’s future? If you ask me, this isn’t democratic. I don’t know about you but, I value my education very much. It’s about our future. Ask yourself, “Is it worth fighting for?” I say yes! Let’s hear from the kids for a change. What do you think? Please, read my blog and get involved. Enjoy!
I have been in public schools for seven years. That means that I have been oppressed all my life by “The No Child Left Behind Act” (NCLB) signed into law by President Bush in 2002. But really, what does “No Child Left Behind” mean? I think there is something missing because it implies, “left behind what?” A great education? One would assume that’s what they were talking about but I seriously wonder. Personally I believe that all students should be given great opportunities in school for them to learn the knowledge and skills they will need to succeed in their lives, jobs, families, and relationships. School should ignite the passion for knowledge. Learning this stuff should also be enjoyable, exciting, and fun for all students in order for them to stay motivated in school.
But what NCLB really means is that no child should be left behind in two subjects based on a multiple choice standardized test. And while we’re at it, let’s make school as boring and as prison like as possible. That’s it. And I can’t believe we’ve made such a big deal about it. We rank schools and teachers–all based on students’ memorization and test taking abilities on mostly Reading and Math. The current book I’m reading is called, “The Zombie Survival Guide.” It should be sub headed, “How NCLB is creating a generation of Zombies.”
So year after year, I participate in the ritual of passing the California Standards Tests (CSTs) in school and every year the format of the tests and testing schedule are the same. The teachers give us candy and pizza parties if we do well. Point of information, Zombies don’t eat candy or pizza. They eat human flesh.
This year though for 7th grade something unusual and remarkable occurred before testing. My principal decided to give a speech that he believed would compel us to do even better on the test telling us about external and internal motivations that we should all have in order to do well. I couldn’t help thinking that this is what my parents’ taxes go for. Near the end of the speech, my principal talked about some test taking strategies and I will never forget what he said: “When you get stuck on a question, guess the letter C.”Are you serious? This is the pearl of wisdom that I ‘m supposed take away from my time at junior high?
Well it does make me think about twelve years in the future when I have a research job on the Hadron Collider and I am about to discover the Higgs Boson particle a.k.a. the “God particle.” So, when I am stuck on a complex formula that may be the key to finding the Higgs Boson, I’ll know what to do; choose the letter C! Yeah right. No wonder America is so messed up. This is what standardized tests are doing to our education, to my generation, and America’s future.
More words of wisdom that my principal shared with the students was called the “process of elimination.” This is a strategy where when you are given a number of answers, you must eliminate answers that are obviously illogical until you have narrowed it to two answers. For example, let’s say there is a math question; 20 times 20 with the following choices: A: 4, B: 400, C: 4000, and D: 50. We can eliminate answers A and D because they are way off., leaving B and C. Luckily, we have my principal’s ultimate technique so we just choose the letter C! It’s that simple!
Now, let’s apply process of elimination to real life. Take the war on terror for example. Thus far, we have eliminated Saddam Hussein, a handful of terrorists, thousands of enemy insurgents, probably tens of thousands of civilians, and of course any chance for democracy. However, we also recently eliminated Osama Bin Laden. We hit the Jackpot.
I suppose the experts would say that this is proof that the process of elimination does indeed work. Maybe we do live in a multiple choice world after all. For those who believe we do and want to test us to death, I choose “none of the above.”
I'm a 50-year-old ex-teacher. You're too smart for your age. I've linked to your blog on my Facebook page. Best blog I've read in years.
Wonderfully expressed! I hope to share your true identity!
Hi I am a 45 yo Australian Woman. I live in Berkeley CA and just read your blog on my freind's facebook page. I think you very eloquently described what NCLB is doing to educators as well as students. Oh dear oh dear. Would you condiser running for president before you get your PhD in physics?
Smart kid, but apparently you don't realize that you have already been brainwashed (zombie-ized?) by the anthropogenic global warming mantra ("Think about it: global warming, the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, the economic crisis, the energy crisis, and of course the downfall of education. All of this happened on their watch.").
No, kid – not everything is our fault! Nature still plays by far the largest role in climate change, and we are currently in the early stages of an evidential long-term (30 years or more) cooling trend. It's good that you don't believe everything you are told, so research it yourself.
Wow! It is great to hear from a child with such passion for his education and future. It would be amazing to have input from our youth to help make the decisions that impact their future. What a great idea, ZombieX!
It's sad that the leaders of our schools are wasting time on speeches for test-taking strategies rather than developing skills for critical thinking and applications to their content that involve real-world understanding, which you obviously possess. You are far beyond your years, and I look forward to reading your thoughts in the future.
Great critique by a student. It's about time we hear from kids, because he's right, we have screwed it up for them. Keep up the great job. Enjoyed your honesty and funny insights.
Thank you ZombieX for reminding us of the madness that has been entrenched in public education. We need to stop the mindless testing that continues to take place in our schools. Something is terribly awry when the joy of learning is replaced by the best way to take a multiple guess test.
I am currently in a debate regarding this very issue. Thank you for writing such a well thought out, insightful blog. Thankfully there are kids like you in the world who won't have to guess there way through life!
"For example, let’s say there is a math question; 20 times 20 with the following choices: A: 4, B: 400, C: 4000, and D: 50. We can eliminate answers A and D because they are way off., leaving B and C. Luckily, we have my principal’s ultimate technique so we just choose the letter C! It’s that simple!" ahahah proving your point using satire, nice job
I think your ideas are valid, but you should support it with more evidence rather than simply your opinions. As high school students in various advanced placements classes I agree with what you've said. To add on the whole relation of "The No Child Left Behind Act" to terrorism is some what confusing, you need to clarify that section.
Really? That's what you're posting to this article? That's too bad.
I recently wrote a paper on NCLB and understand your point of view on the subject. I think "zombies" is the correct term to call this, and feel that as the "generation of the future" they should hear how we feel about the situation and listen to our ideas into solving this, since we are being the ones affected.
Are you really 12 years old?
Well, not a bad article really. Rather than trying to make their students smarter, they're trying to give them shortcuts that don't exist for a race that's a waste of time.
By the way, that survival guide book is practically my bible. Enjoy the book its great.
Perhaps the idea that our society has for our children of America, is that by giving the same standardized test to everyone, we will all be at the same level and will progress together. That by the time we graduate from school, we will all have equal opportunities to achieve our goals and help our economy. Although, that may be true, we can see that so far it has not fufilled such goal. Instead it has segregated our students and pressured them to not fail the schools and recieve funding. It is only pressuring our students and making standardized tests harder than they truly are.
Hello my name is Bijan and I live in Southern California. All i wanted to say is that this article is somewhat interesting but lacks depth. Also, all you people who give their locations and age are creeps. That is all…
in the light as this fellow seventh grade student, and as a high school student I agree that the test is not really testing us on the right level and maybe it's not really demonstrating what we could really do. But it is very shocking that it takes a seventh grader to say this, for other people to realize the mess that the "adults" have made. It's not really their fault, but I belive they are a cause.
i agree with most of what you're saying here, and you're seeing most of the issues that are happening here, but i do think you need to develop your understanding of the issue more, and rather than seperating yourselves from the adults in such a blame-assigning way, you should look more into the necessity of a union between the youth and the older generations – for the sake of the education system of course – and ways to make it happen.
youre pretty smart for a twelve year old
of course you'd leave it at just that….
It's nice to see someone that can critically think and observe society as it is. It's reasonable to be frustrated at an issue, or what we deem as an issue, that seems to persist through all attempts made to fix it. Keep your ideas intact and surpass the burdens that have been placed on you so that you can change it.
I absolutely agree with you, kid. But what do you suppose we do to solve this issue? I think we can all point out the negatives of our education system; that's easy. But finding ways to correct it, now that's harder.
I agree that NCLB has turned out to be a complete failure since its enactment. The results are evident, so why hasn't the governmet introduced new legislation to change things around ? I beleive that part of the solution could be to create specialized college-bound academic programs nation-wide. That would be a better investment of the government's money, as opposed to spending so much on test preparation.
I totally agree, the NCLB Act is useless from when it was enacted. There should be more students like you, who cares about their education and their future. Thank you for writing an article that may influence others and open them to the real issue in education.
I agree with you ZombieX, and it's really great to see a student your age taking notice to the wrongs that have been done to you and your fellow students. However, I'd be much more interested in any of your solutions to this crisis in education.
I enjoyed the clever approach. But the underlying truth is quite sinister. It's not every kid who will be made a zombie, but only those attending lower-income, ethnically diverse schools. The wealthier, white schools–republican territory–will remain unfettered by failing test scores and be able to teach critical thinking skills. Only those in program improvement or close to it (labeled failing) actually fall victim to the mental ravages of NCLB. Thanks, President Bush.
I beleive that there should be some adjustments made to NCLB to make it more effective. Perhaps if this is done, it could render better results.
"Point of information, Zombies don’t eat candy or pizza. They eat human flesh." We did not find this relevant to your thesis. For a twelve year old, it's alright but it lacks documented sources which could have made this paper stronger. The paper seems to sell us your feelings, lacking facts.
Zombiex, Zombiex, Zombiex. You've read all of our minds. nice critiques.
I completely agree with what this blog has to say for The No Child Left Behind Program. This program does the exact opposite of it's intent. Instead of increasing the education levels in schools, this plan continues widening the education gap in America. I am a junior at highschool and I also believe that the CST testing does not truely determine students' knowledge. Most teachers are now too focused on preparing their classes for the multiple choice tests at the end of the year rather than actually helping students prepare for college. Our generation is at its worse and America needs more people with a education higher than just a high school diploma. The students should have a say with NCLB and the government should put more effort towards reforming the education gap than just making schools take multiple choice tests. NCLB does not produce thinkers, multiple choice is a shallow way to determine student knowledge.
For a seventh grader, you've obviously taken more interest in the education system more than others your age. However, I think that you lack enough depth for this to be a successful persuasive argument.
Well well, it seems that the adults are having a wave of admiration for a 13 year old that knows how to use something called a brain. Don't get me wrong I admire your intelligence dislplayed in this blog and totally agree with you (Junior in High School) but I will not go to the extent of praising you and calling you cute. Students in our age group should totally know this because it involves our education. I do have to give you credit for bring up the issue, so there I praised you for your blog and idea, not the fact that you're a seventh grader. We are totally being screwed by the current education system, beautiful. Standardized test have to go, if America plans to prosper and continue as a World power, we need to fix our education system.
Dear Zombie X,
Your interest in the educational system at such a young age is quite admirable. I am also young (16 years old) and have been exposed to this flip-flop type structure. The passion with which you describe the injustitices of the educational system is very persuasive, thought I wish you wouldve developed your paper a little more, I found your blog to be quite entertaining, Great Job with the connection between adults and the issues decided regarded children. I felt it as quite enligtning, for I too acknowledge that because we are younger, the adults have been speareading decision making regarding us and as a result, some negative political outcomes have been put into effect.
this is a good article, but nothing I haven’t heard before. the education system is not beneficial to the youth of america, and unless something is done, our kids will not grow up to be functional adults, as under NCLB, they are only taught to take multiple choice tests and their education is put at risk. [edited for clarity/civility — CL]
I believe it's a good thing that you're addressing this issue publicly and identifying that there is indeed an issue with our education system, but what's the solution. I understand that the issue is complicated, but how do we solve this issue? Who is going to listen to the arguments of actual students and consider them seriously? If students can actually convince one politician to listen and do something about the problem, how long will it take for any reform to take place and what kind of reform will it be? Since Obama's inauguration, he's spoken about 'reforming' education, but what has he really done?
Still, since I am also a student, I understand your argument and I agree, something needs to be done. The question now isn't that "should things change," but "how do we change things?"
I am impressed by your insight and i do agree education has become blunt in some cases; however, what can students in school do to improve the system so that we wont simply be "customers of education", but producers?
Although adults have the power to make a change in our world, kids can take part in a solution also, for we will soon take their position in the future. So what would you suggest we do in your perspective?
Instead of relaying common information about the education system why not porpose a solution and begin to take action about repealing the NCLB. The personnel feelings you injected into your blog are irrelevent as many adults see the negative effects of the act thus it is childish to put the blame on ohters without suffcient reasons.
I like the way you write, and you'd make a good journalist someday, but this isn't anything I haven't heard before. I've heard this all countless times, from all kinds of ages, ranging from kids to adults. I did like your conclusion, though.
The only thing is that we're left with no insight or feedback on how to change or fight against the system. And while some would say it's because we have no power and it's impossible, I believe it IS possible. Your conclusion encourages the same theory, but my question still stands: how do we change it?
I give you kudos for actually thinking about the corruption in the education system; however, I believe you are really missing the complexity behind the reason why the education system is the way it is. Also, you do not provide a solution. My suggestion to you is to really research the complexity of the argument, and try to come up with your own solution.
You have wonderfully explained your argument and I must say you have a profound argument for your age. But honestly, you're in 7th grade, you're only a little more than halfway through your education. You are smart for your age, but you don't have the wisdom or experience of a full education yet. You've experienced parts of the hardships caused by NCLB, I agree with you there, but you haven't been fully though the education system, to truly comment on how it works or how it's failing. You have valid points and I agree with you. But you're being too hard in blaming the adults for the failures. It's great to hear opinions of fellow students but you can't fully critique the education system or blame anyone for it's failures until you have time to reflect on it.
I agree with the points you've brought up. The choices of life, in the context of the test, is boil down to four choice. This forces students to look at things in a simplified way and when they accept thei diploma, and agrees to be apart this society that encourage simple thinking and separating things into four choices. As a students myself, i agree that this test simplify out thinking and we're dimissing important literature in place to makemore time to prepare kids to take this test.
While this is a good essay and you certaintly brought morelight to this subject, this lacks the depth that it needs to truly convey the true issue. I believe that you've already fallen into this trapand are on the process of becoming a 'zombie' … certaintly you are trying to craw out of this, but with society pressing upon you, its hard. This is a society where we all depends of technology, and that itself already limits our thinking. This only adds upon it.
We created a language, and through that, we got lost in that language. We are the future, and we're already gone.
Hello. My name is Nam, a junior, and I live in the United States of America :). I agree with Bijan that all you people are creeps. First of all, I will give you credit for already thinking about future generations as a seventh grader; that is a good sign that there is students knowing about the signficance of education. Now for the analysis. Are you blaming all adults for the problems that we have today? .
In NCLB Act, it was meant for students to achieve a standard that every student can achieve. During the time when the NCLB Act was passed, it seemed like a good idea, since the speculation was: students will gradually improve over time, as well as establishing a standard that each underachieving student can strive for, or maybe overcome. I agree, NCLB Act is a terrible idea and our government and administration should attempt to remove or even revise it for the benefit of future generations. However, even as a nation, we are not as much as a democratic nation as a before. Now the government has taken control of what we do. For example, financial industries have corrputed the government, according to "Inside Job," to do what the companies want. So if the government is unable to combat against the companies, what makes you think that NCLB will change?
Back to NCLB, standardized testing willl only limit the education students will have. The uneducated will stay uneducated if this Act stays. In terms of your context, you make multiple choice applied to real life? I doubt people would do as what you say. I understand the significance of your article, and you should continue on and researching on solutions and possiblities that may help our future education.
The education system has proven to be all of the things that were included in this blog. Students are obtaining a sense of education that does not necessarily benefit them in the future. Taking standardized test focuses in only on set concepts and ideas, but our society needs engineers, those who can think critically and find solutions to our nation's situation. Furthermore, while your article is effective in portraying a student's views, they should consider the other factors that are acting upon the education system. For example, the teacher's unions,
I'm a 60 year old former teacher, who moved out of the US a few years ago because of just about every theme you hit in your blog. Great job, ZombieX, you have clearer vision than almost anyone I know of any age! Keep up the great work – I'm subscribing as soon as I finish this post!
Your argument sounds rather plausible; however, you fail to address the solutions to the issue, considering how your purpose through this article was to have students, not adults, make the decisions about our educational system.
Hard to believe you're 12! Great observation that the testing crowd turns students into zombies. Truthfully, those pushing RTTT and NCLB are zombies too, of a sort. And they're recruiting. Corporations are pushing the RTTT & NCLB agenda to mine school budgets for profit, and tests are extremely profitable – so it goes. What does this have to so with their zombie status? Corporations as a legal entity have human rights in America, but they do not have a human body or soul, and many have observed corporations don't pay consequences for their actions (or taxes) like individuals. That's the definition of a zombie, even though we have to overlook the fact that zombies actually have a dead, but animated body. Hmmm, maybe politicians corporations pay to carry out their agenda qualifies as a dead, but animated body. Anyway, we must fight the corporate zombies intent on eating the flesh of teachers and the brains of students!
LAUSD Teacher Librarian
While you seem to be knowledgable on this subject, many of your peers are not. Only adults do the talking because they are the ones that have done research, do the teaching, pay taxes, have gone through the school system, and have had more life experience, most of the time anyway.
I am a teacher of 29 years. I totally agree with this. NCLB has ruined public schools. What is next, CVharter schools and the downfall of American free public education? Until we as Americans take education seriously and treat it as something to be cherished as the basis of every single thing anyone needs in order to be successful, then we are all doomed. I don't pretend to have the answers but what I do know is that without education you cannot survive and until the people who make the laws and decisions figure that out, it will only get worse. I would be happy to discuss this anytime. I must get to bed, have three more days of school to make up because of snow (and how much do you think our kids are learning now?
I completely agree. Kids now a days don’t speak up enough! They are getting the attitude of just not caring. One of the parts that really stood out to me was when it mentioned how school needs to be interesting and intriguing in order for us to stay focused. As for the test taking skills, being a student I don’t feel as my test scores should label me or place me in a specific category that I can not get out of until I test higher. Tons of students out there aren’t well test takers but could be intelligent kids. And these process of elimination strategies sometimes just don’t cut it. Overall, I completely agree with this blog.
Excellent post- its good to see how much you care about your education. But may I say this: This is unfortunate reality and you cant look at it in such a negative light. You have to push through the ridiculousness of society and look beyond what media is trying to put in front of your eyes. whether you want to or not however you will have to take these tests again and again. It wont change until you're long gone from the public school system; but you have to make change if you want it.
Well thought out and I wish you luck in your endeavors.
I really understand ZombieX and i agree with him
I go to J.F.K high school and sometimes i don't understand about the rules.
We have OCS program, and it's like a school prison.
i had to stay 7hours in one room because i used my cellphone.
there's only one bathroom pass and you don't eat lunch with friends.
Some students go to OCS everyday, because they don't want to study.
So it's not really helpful to us.
Speaking about the public education system, it does not matter if a student comes from a low- or high-income family or school. What matters is that NCLB applies to all public education schools. When it comes to standardized testing, it seems as though students are being taught how to memorize. Those tests say that there is critical thinking involved, but can that critical thinking be applied to life outside of school that does not involve multiple choice? Schools have no choice but to follow NCLB because it is law and through the process of teachers teaching their students how to memorize answers, the better their school does, the more funding they may be able to get. Also, the better the students do, the better the teacher looks. In public education, students are primarily being taught how to memorize to make the teachers and schools look good. Not entirely to help them build skills to get into college, or build relationships, or career skills or ethics .
Zombie X, I cant begin to explain how deeply I agree with you. Nothing could be more closer to the truth. I feel that kids dont get enough say in what happens with our schools. We should be the ones who decide on where tax paying money goes, because we are the ones who are suppose to "benefit" from it. Learning shoulndnt be based on multiple choice tests because it dosnt show what we learned, it shows how well we can memorize information given in a text book.
Wow! Well thought out and explained for someone of such a young age. I have to agree on the majority of Zombie X's ideas and feelings. As a now senior in high-school I believe that it is our right and our responsibility to try and create a world for ourselves. The daily grind of studying for the CST's are pretty cut and dry. No room for creativity and personal growth. The best quote I've heard in a while is, “When you get stuck on a question, guess the letter C.” If that is really what your principle is preaching to your group of middle school students than power to you, voice your opinion. Students now sit through classes not caring about their future. As if they've given up and only live for the moment.
ZombieX! WOW! It's like you've just read my mind and I totally agree with you.
Hi, I am an 11th grade high school student in public school and here is what I think.
You can't test all our knowledge with one test or even a hundred. God gave us a brain to think and choose our own decisions, so if teachers keep giving us exams on things the government wants us to learn, then what do we really know…nothing because everyone knows the exact same thing we do. I understand that the governments want us all to have equal opportunities but we don't live in a Utopian world now do we? We are made so some people excel and others fall behind. That is how we function, otherwise, if we all know the same things, then no one can help each other out, you won't feel the need for any friends or even leave the house.
I agree that we should be able to make some of our own decisions. They say we don't know as much as our parents because they've had way much more experience than us, then why is the world like this. Let us make our own decisions and learn from our mistakes because if you haven't done so recently, please look around you, how much worse can the world get. So please let the "leaders of the future" get a chance to make their own future. Thank you!
Well I believe that although the writer's view is quite radical as proven by his language and overall tone of the blog, the points made are extremely solid with good examples. Our school system, in my opinion is corrupt. I liked when the author said "are'nt we the customers of education?"in the point that we should be the ones being served and teachers and educators should be a service. Many teachers treat students as a burden and many with fail students that obviously have an understanding of the corriculum. Also with all of the rules, dress codes, and other distractions from the true object of learning, school feels to students, as more of a prison than a relaxing learning environment. No doubt the school system is corrupt in my mind and I also completely agree with schools teaching exactly the opposite of what is needed to know. It seems as though they are steering us in the wrong direction in the real world. This is extremely well written, especially for a 12 year old with arguments that not only appealed to me but to all different kinds of people.
I deeply agree with you. At my Hgh School this were given a gold card if we get all proficiant or advanced on our C.S.T's, and next year a black card if we get all advanced on the C.S.T's plus the gold card. It's all non-sense that test how well we can memorize text book information just as you said and not weather or not we actually learned something. Our school has become nothing but CST fucused and its irritating.
Well, US spends three times as much as Sweden and we are way behind Sweden in terms of education level. So in my point of view, i cannot stop relating Zombie X's issue with money or budget. Budget cuts on education have been influencing us directly and poor results on standardized testing are hurting some schools' budget. Schools are graded according to standardized testing result while it is not a right way to measure schools and students, thus causing more hardships on teaching environment and student's achievement. Now we should look for other ways to analyze us and our school
I agree with your opinion, but I wish you'd do something different to express it. It's a matter of "telling" versus "showing." You're telling us how you feel by creating a blog on the internet. There are hundreds of blogs and websites on the internet for people to share their opinions- especially kids of our generation. Do something different to get your opinion out there, it's the idea of showing. Be more creative and talk to kids who have the same opinion as you, find an organized way to get school officials to make a change. I guarantee if you start the change many kids, including myself, will follow. And kids of all ages, from middle school through high school. Possibly college. The matter you discuss is a big deal and recently at my school several incentives were given to score well on the state testing, including a grade change if you advanced your score in a subject. I don't believe this is the way grades should be determined and I don't believe bribery is an appropriate idea to use in school. If you feel strongly about NCLB then do something more to make a change. People will listen.
You make a pretty good point. But as students, we do have a say in our education; it's just that nothing really gets done quickly. The school is a bureaucracy. There's lots of inefficiency. We need some sort of reform in which the teacher and the student can easily exchange information or any ideas on making teaching more efficient, but how many students really care?