Here is an interesting exchange between Joe and me. We will see if the last comment here shows up at MP... It has been ~4 hours. Thoughts?
MP Boehner and Duncan exiting may cause problems
MP Boehner and Duncan exiting may cause problems
"How about we eliminate the Federal control of education and bring the money and power back to the states. We have lost ground globally since the Federal Government got involved as far as our students ranking in basic learning skills. We became obsessed as WHAT the kids were reading not how to enjoy reading, had to change basic math because it was too hard to learn multiplication/subtraction tables- got news for you 3x3 will always be 9, learn it, took time out from learning math, reading and science to teach social issues (leave that to the parents) eliminated trade skill classes and de-emphasized the trades as an option to kids, basically turned to an agenda instead of teaching our kids skills they will need to succeed in a real work environment.
What we are doing now and the past couple decades have not worked, how about a change?" Joe
"Source please. Here are 2 good ones.
WP Myth of America Past
US Chamber More Countries Pass US in Education
The reason schools look worse now was because many States weren't measuring, and they sure were not measuring which children were just passed to move them along in the system. Only when States were forced to measure and report against a somewhat common standard did we realize exactly how bad of a job some of those "local folk" were doing." G2A
"If that is the case then why did the USA go from one of the leaders in basic skills 40 yrs ago to anywhere from 25-35 world wide depending on the study? I'm sure those "local folk" were up to their low requirement, moving students along stunts back then. BTW the moving students along is an epidemic in today's Federal run system." Joe
" "one of the leaders in basic skills 40 yrs ago" Please provide a source, and did you read the WP source I provided. They discuss your nostalgic belief in great detail and why it is incorrect.
When kids are "moved along" now we see it clearly in the test data. That is why the Teacher's Unions want to stop the testing and go back to those good old days where people didn't know how many kids were being left behind and tax payers / parents weren't demanding accountability /results.
Usually I am a fan of local control, especially when it comes to taxing and spending. However when it comes to curriculum, teaching methods, performance stds, etc I am pretty sure that the "local folk" are not as competent as the "best of the best" in America. We are in a modern globally competitive world, I don't think the local school board and those few nosy pushy far Left/ far Right Parents are up to the challenge.
By the way, though I am up for national standards and expectations. I believe a good Teacher who can personalize the methods and concepts based on each child's personality and learning style can make a huge difference in the classroom. The question is are they okay with just helping kid's to truly learn or do they feel a need to control what content they teach to feel fulfilled?" G2A
12 comments:
looks to me like passing the education bill may still be a long way off (and the exchange between Joe and you really wasn't all that interesting) I was reading another blog post today about how the GOP is incapable of governing in congress, Your comments on that might be more interesting, but probably not because your very likely incapable of seeing this.
Laurie,
What is "Success in Governing in Congress" in your opinion?
I assume it include it means passing tax increases, spending increases, additional regulatory laws/burdens, additional freebies, etc. (ie Democratic Platform)
Now if ~half the Americans are against this Platform, would that really be "Success"? Thoughts?
For people like me who just want them to start paying down the National Debt, doing nothing is likely much better than them doing something. Since as Sean pointed out, both the Republicans and Democrats seem to have no problem making today's voters happy at the expense of our kids.
As they have been doing for decades.
Forbes Spending
Forbes High Taxes 1/3 of Problem
we are a long way from paying down the national debt, though we have made some progress reducing the deficit. As for inability to govern the GOP has been quite unproductive in passing laws. Surely you muct want them to do something, like reduce regulations or pass an education bill, as the last one expired in 2007.
In late spurt of activity, Congress avoids ‘least productive’ title
If you like volume, then you must have loved 01/02
Now that I am back at a computer... And look at all volume the 106th did with the Republicans controlling both Houses... Maybe the problem is Obama? And we need Bill back?
My complaint is with the current republican congress and Obama is not the problem as he has a very low veto rate.
Comparing Obama’s Veto Rate To Other Recent Presidents’
Maybe Reid helped some to play Goalie...
Also, it seemed that Boehner, Reid and Obama fought out the details before the need for a veto pen. They sure made a lot of noise while doing it in years 3 - 6 of his Presidency.
Back to the topic, Clete weighed in over at MP.
"I just think education works better when it is controlled locally. Parents can talk to their School Board members as well as their local representatives (who are all elected officials) and make sure they are getting what they want/expect.
The Feds can play a roll and set some standards but if we expect the Federal Govt to save education it will be a long wait. In MN we value education and spend tons of money on it and we get good results, if some southern states do not place as high a value on their children's education that only benefits Minnesota. The modern economy as it adjusts to modern manufacturing realities will find a highly educated workforce like MN has a better place to grow their companies.
This might been seen as short sighted when taken in context of a great America but I feel the Federal Govt has not done a good job in as it relates to EDU and I just don't see them doing anything better than it does now. My thoughts only. Thank you." Clete
""Parents can talk to their School Board members as well as their local representatives (who are all elected officials) and make sure they are getting what they want/expect."
Usually when I hear of this happening, it is some Parent complaining about the content of a textbook based on their personal beliefs. Or some Parent who is against the school allowing the children to wear costumes on Halloween. Or how the discipline policy is unfair. Or how some Teacher is performing terribly.
What are you thinking will be lost with National standards?
The local school boards, principals, teachers, etc are still going to be here to try and satisfy parents while ensuring the kids learn based on global standards.
And though I am happy that MN kids are smarter than MS, I am more concerned that MN and MS kids are smarter and more creative than Chinese and India kids.
By the way we are already being rated, and MN does okay to good. Except for that we have one of the largest academic achievement gaps in the country.
NCES State Results
NCES Gap" G2A
I believe the topic of this post was the do nothing congress The Boehner and Duncan retirements might be just the excuse Congress needed to do nothing but if you would rather it be just random thoughts on education I can do that. I think the federal govt should provide more special education and Title one funding (I think they fund our ESL teachers, too). My school is on track for a 15% pass rate on the MCA test again this year. We need more intervention teachers.
If you would like it to be on the ESEA in particular here is a link for you. ESEA Rewrite: What to Expect From House-Senate Conference I prefer the senate version which is a bipartisan bill.
Actually the post was regarding the potentially stalled education bill.
"Everyone knew that getting an overhaul of the No Child Left Behind education law signed would be hard: These days, the idea of the House and Senate agreeing on a compromise bill that would get the president’s approval — and on a lightning-rod topic like K-12 education — seems doomed to fail."
Of course you like the Senate version, it seems to keep the Feds in control more so than the States. Personally I am torn, I like State control however some of those State folks are really foolish when it comes to education standards and accountability...
HP Ed Conf Committee
AAF Ed Conf Committee
WP Summary of Issues
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