Controversial Topic Discussion

As an Educator in Texas, I have to say that we mainly deal with Hispanic immigration here. While students in the middle and upper grades enrich each other's leassons, the students in lower elementary have more difficulties with this. In Texas, it is very hard to use new/different enrichment programs because of No Child Left Behind, we have to teach to the test. I like to use several different hands on and group activities for everyone to work together, but there are times when the school just vetos ideas because they're afraid it will take time away from the testing, therefore lowering the grades and possibly causing the school to lose funding.
So, although it is a very enriching process for students who are able to work together in this type of situation, it is a rare thing for a teacher to be allowed to move freely in their own classroom and be able to aid his/her students in working together despite language barriers.
Elizabeth
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