Posted on 10/21/2004 6:17:28 PM PDT by mlmr
Thanks. Me too. Two in government elementaries, one homeschooled with friends and one in private.
I can agree that increases decentralization of the education system is theoretically a good thing but many, many school systems are not responsible enough to manage themselves or even be accountable to parents.
NCLB was the first step toward educational accountability and unfortunately the only way I believe it could have been passed was in this form. Hopefully later down the road, the accountability can be given back to the state or local level, if they deserve it. Remember, most liberals run schools and do not think in market terms that assist decentralization of power to work.
"SUMMATION: silk purse...sow's ear."
????
Run for the school board.
I don't think they license teachers that way here (KY). My understanding is that teachers are getting education degrees, and though they MUST have a certain emphasis, their license is still only K-5, 6-8, etc. with no mention of their emphasis. I may very well be wrong!
My emphasis is in English (elementary). No one has ever mentioned that "English" has anything to do with my license.
The point that your brother should understand is that TED KENNEDY wrote the bill.
I hear you, but in my opinion it just isn't the role of the federal government to make that judgment. Nor do I believe its involvement is likely to increase that accountability.
I think it's necessarily a messy business. Some districts will thrive under great leadership while others will fail. It's unfortunate, but that's just the nature of things. Nothing the federal government does can change that inherent characteristic - we're a country of 275 million people.
NCLB was the first step toward educational accountability and unfortunately the only way I believe it could have been passed was in this form. Hopefully later down the road, the accountability can be given back to the state or local level, if they deserve it. Remember, most liberals run schools and do not think in market terms that assist decentralization of power to work.
Given the federal government's track record, I think it's unlikely that this program will do anything other than amass more power at the federal level. How many other federal initiatives have been turned over to states or municipalities?
That's why I will be homeschooling
Yes, I agree, I think we should just cut ALL!!! of the funding for "No Child Left Behind" for one whole year just to see these same whiners complain about how we actually need to have the program.
We live, and I teach, in a rural Pennsylvania high school.
It is in a economically depressed area.
Last year I attended a function during a school day that was designed to encourage elementary students to read.
There was a surfeit of free food and beverages. All students got free books. There have been many such events since NCLB was instituted.
Our district did not pay for this largesse, believe me.
I guess the money just fell out of the sky, eh Democrats?
Unfunded mandates, my a**.
One thing Pres. Reagan didn't accomplish that I looked forward to: getting rid of the Federal Dept. of Education.
All schools should be run on a local basis, with local
accountability. Parents should be able to send their children to the schools best for their children. Competition is the answer to higher standards.
A couple of years ago, I would have agreed with you wholeheartedly. However, I have recently seen instances of lower income areas with great (better than my children's schools) test scores. I don't know what the teachers are doing there, but it's working. People KNOW how to do this the "right" way. Why everyone isn't flocking to these schools to learn their practices is beyond me.
Congratulations. It's great to have one who loves her most taking on the most essential task.
I hope that your own education is varied and complete. I also hope that you are able to purchase an excellent program.
This is my beef. I need to give them a note with an "approved" reason for an absence? Screw that.
Sad thing is now my son knows that I lied.
It's a good question. If I had to guess, it's because there's no real repercussion for subpar performance. In the private sector companies go out of business; not so in education.
I also think it's easy to make excuses about the fact that public schools can't control their input; they have to take whatever kids walk in the door.
I have a Masters in Education and am fairly well traveled. Husband has a PhD in Engineering. I have been looking at a few HS programs already. I just hope we are able to be prepared.
I don't object to seeing a student who doesn't speak English being FORCED to LEARN it.
More funding by the federal government really doesn't matter.
Ideally I'l like to see ALL public schools abolished and appropriate tax relief available to all and have the parents of kids in school chose what school they wanted for their children - private, religious - whatever.
I believe that is true of New Jersey. Maybe someone else could comment on that. It seems to vary by state.
Nor do I. But what's accomplished by testing a kid who just walked in the door and doesn't speak any English?
More funding by the federal government really doesn't matter.
Well, it matters to me. Federal programs always have negative consequences. Hence the reason conservatives favor a local approach over a centralized one.
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