Surprise!? Business Already Profits From NCLB
If private schools might profit from NCLB legislation (see article), private American educational consulting firms also seem poised to cash in as well. Mississippi State, for example, is already advertising an MS degree program via distance learning in TIG (Teachers In Geosciences www.msstate.edu/dept/geosciences/distance.html). Its program promises to “make you a highly qualified earth science teacher” because “this bill asks states to put highly qualified teachers in every public school classroom with full state certification (sic).”
Then there’s something else called the “TransACT No Child Left Behind Parent Communication Center” reachable on the net at www.mynclb.com, which appears to offer at least two packages to school districts. Here’s how it introduces itself: “Welcome Federal Program Directors and Superintendents: Assure Parents (sic) Right to Know… We are here to help you.”
One way it intends to help parents is by reminding superintendents that districts nationwide must meet parent notification deadlines and are finding little assistance or success.”
Enter TransAct
Its NCLB Parent Notifications in English plus Accountability and Compliance Guides (AVAILABLE NOW! Click on ...) also offers “Spanish NCLB Parent Notifications” – and costs districts a mere $295. In addition (or as a bonus – I can’t tell), subscribers get a “Translation Library (TM) of Educational Forms: “a rich collection of over 60 forms translated into 22 languages.”
AND THAT’S NOT ALL, FOLKS
The “Welcome to Fun- Education” site (www.funeducation. com/statestandards/ is also available – BELIEVE IT OR NOT – and, “for a very small investment the student will know what material is on these [standardized] tests, how these tests are formatted, and how to succeed on these essential tests.”
If you are still a Doubting Thomas, there are the testimonials:
From Matt P: “I found your on-line materials to be more than just test preparation – they have inherent educational value as an adjunct to traditional learning.”
From D. Hardwick: “I just wanted to thank you and tell you how excited my daughter was to receive the book. She sat right down and started practicing from the book after reading the tips with me. She seemed relieved to know we had a program to get ready so she can do her best. The online tests are great and this is a really neat program.”
And from K. Bates, the ultimate compliment: “After your outstanding customer support, I’m really curious now- how can you provide all of this for such a low price? After buying the book and online tests for my 2nd grader and using the materials over the past week, I’m ready for you to add my 5th and 8th graders to the account as well.”