Time Features Muslim Teacher: How to Fix No Child Left Behind

In an article on how to fix No Child Left Behind -- Bush’s failed attempt to fix education -- Time prominently featured a Muslim high-school teacher Rasheed Abdullah in Philadelphia.

At 2:45 in the afternoon, Rasheed Abdullah, the kinetic lead math teacher, stages what could be called a prep rally with 11 third-graders. The kids, who are at neither the top nor the bottom of their class, have been selected for intensive review--as has a contingent from other grades--because their test scores hold the key to putting the school over the top on the pivotal Pennsylvania System of School Assessments (PSSAS). Last year, after a history of failure, the school, under new leadership, managed to meet the federal goal for adequate yearly progress (AYP) on the state tests for the first time. If it does so again, Blaine moves off the dreaded list of failing schools, no longer a target for intensive oversight and sanctions that could include replacing the staff.

Abdullah, who has an easy rapport with students, issues a quick reminder to sign up for “Super Saturday” review classes and then begins his math-athon with a rousing recitation of the school’s declaration of education. “We believe that we can learn at high levels,” the children chant. “We believe we can reach our learning potential ... We believe that Blaine will become a high-performing institution.”

Quite a mouthful for an 8-year-old. And there’s more. Abdullah starts pumping his fists as the kids finish with passionate vows.

“I’ll never give up!” he shouts.

“I’ll never give up!” they echo.

“Even on the PSSA test!”

“Even on the PSSA test!”

“‘Cause winners never lose, and I am the best!”

For the next 15 minutes, the kids, divided into teams, compete to win points by solving math problems, with Abdullah acting as a combination game-show host and math coach. There are giggles and cheers and plenty of correct answers, but everyone in the room knows the fate of the school is at stake.

Read more:

• Time: How to Fix No Child Left Behind