Teenglishing in the Blue State of Rhode Island
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BRAVE NEW SCHOOLS
Spelling bee nixed because it 'leaves child behind'
District cancels event claiming it conflicts with Bush education plan

January 28, 2005
5:00 p.m. Eastern
© 2005 WorldNetDaily.com

A school district in Rhode Island canceled its annual spelling bee this year because administrators decided the crowning of only one winner violates the main principle of the federal No Child Left Behind Act – that all children should succeed.

Linda Newman, assistant superintendent of schools in Lincoln, R.I., said it's her understanding that President Bush's education initiative says all children must reach high standards, which conflicts with the spelling bee, the Woonsocket Call of Rhode Island reported.

"It's about one kid winning, several making it to the top and leaving all others behind," Newman said of the competition, which culminates with the Scripps Howard National Spelling Bee in Washington, D.C. "That's contrary to No Child Left Behind."

A spelling bee, she continued, is about "some kids being winners, some kids being losers," which "sends a message that this isn't an all-kids movement."
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Singing Polly wolly doodle all day.