Should our Government be in the Education Business
47It seems the law "No Child Left Behind" marks another failed policy of the Bush administration. I (like many others) purpose this question;
Should government be involved in "Education"?
Congress had to decide whether to reauthorize "NCLB" or let it die and replace it with a new law that makes sense.
"NCLB" is the very kind of big government planning that we were taught would be the downfall of the Soviets.
Recent polls show growing public disillusionment with regard to NCLB's claims and promises. The chief indicators of educational progress in the land - the NAEP Tests (National Assessment of Educational Progress) have remained stagnant since NAEPs heavy handed policies went into practice in 2002. Considering the claims made, the results are "full of sound and fury signifying nothing. Although NCLB requires that all states fill all classrooms with qualified teachers, no state has met that standard yet according to a report issued by the Ed. Department.
There are 17 NCLB failures according to a report by Jamie McKenzie, here are two:
No State Will Meet 'Highly Qualified' Requirements
The U.S. Department of Education has announced that no state will meet a requirement under the so-called No Child Left Behind law that calls for 100 percent of teachers in core subjects to be "highly qualified" by the end of the current school year.As Deadline Looms, Report Says States Showing Little Progress in Addressing Teacher Quality
It seems the architects of NCLB were engaged in wishful thinking, believing that proclamation and accomplishment were one and the same. The very strength of their convictions can blind them to crucial realities. Given the national shortage of qualified teachers, it is hardly surprising that it is difficult to find teachers willing to work under difficult conditions. Once again, it is the poor and disadvantaged populations who end up suffering most from this NCLB failure.
Lowering of Standards
NCLB has made shame and punishment such a condition of life for schools that many states have been beating the odds by adopting easier tests and lowering standards. They create the false impression of educational progress - one unsubstantiated by testing of their students on a demanding set of tests such as NAEP.
Other reports
Schools skirt 'No Child Left Behind' rule
April 17, 2006Test scores of 1.9 million pupils, mostly minorities, are excludedFrank Bass, Nicole Ziegler Dizon and Ben FellerThe Associated PressStates Omitting Minorities' Test Scores
Frank Bass, Nicole Ziegler Dizon and Ben FellerThe Associated Press2 million scores ignored in ‘No Child' loophole
AP: With help of states, U.S. government, schools duck potential penaltiesEducation Secretary Margaret Spellings on the No Child Left Behind Act
AP interview in which she tries to explain away her Department's terrible decisions.Local school officials say No Child Left Behind law is ineffective, unfair
By: SETH BROMLEY, Staff Writer, Woonsocket Call04/23/2006China has more honor students than America has students.
Are we still educating our student for assembly line jobs, rather than more creative type jobs?
Are our "Political Leaders" in touch with reality?
You tell me.
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