Well, that's kind of a tough one JB. I think there are many things wrong with our education system right now. Unfortunately, it seems like it will get worse before it gets better. I don't see many good things coming out of No Child Left Behind. That said, I don't think that privatized education is the answer. As far as I'm concerned there are too many inherent problems with allowing corporations to have too much authority with the future of our children. I've done many posts on the problems I have with NCLB and I could do the same with privatization but I wanted to avoid the soap box this time. For now I think I'll just summarize what I think would be a better benefit to our education system. What we really need to do is adequatly fund our schools and find a way to dispel the apathy that seems to have infected many parents. My experience, as a teacher, was discouraging because I didn't feel that there was communal support from parents or administrators. By the time students have reached high-school they understand this apathy as well and take advantage of it. We also need some solid standards, but not the kind enforced by NCLB. I think we need to have stronger standards at the elementary level in order to not advance children that don't have basic skills. I know I've said a lot and not offered any real solutions. This is something I've thought a lot about and there is too much to say here. If you are really interested in a dialogue though, feel free to post your comments and I'll respond. Honestly, I'd be more interested to hear your comments.
I think you said a lot of things I agree with—“No Child Left Behind” most definitely leaves too many children behind, not to mention advancing children who should be left behind. And, no, I don’t think privatization is the answer, as only a public school system guarantees everyone the right to an education. And it should be an equal education, although we both know what a joke that is.
I’ve seen the difference it makes for students to come form a wealthy, upper class school district. Overall such students are better prepared for college. We need to adequately fund our schools and pay our teachers what they’re worth. We also need to adequately train our teachers, which is a subtopic, but one I feel passionately about.
I need to think more about this topic. I might post something soon once I’ve gathered my thoughts. Thanks for the great comment!
I think you are right, we seem to be on the same page. I would agree that we need to adequately train teachers. It doesn't help that in some areas teachers are being hired without completing certification. I know there have been efforts in this area in many states including WA where I used to teach. However, I can also say that (at least in WA) the efforts will not be effective and are actually alienating good teachers instead of creating them.
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Yeah, but the soap box is what blogging is all about, right? I know what I think about privatized education, but what do you think about it?
Curious minds want to know!
Well, that's kind of a tough one JB. I think there are many things wrong with our education system right now. Unfortunately, it seems like it will get worse before it gets better. I don't see many good things coming out of No Child Left Behind. That said, I don't think that privatized education is the answer. As far as I'm concerned there are too many inherent problems with allowing corporations to have too much authority with the future of our children. I've done many posts on the problems I have with NCLB and I could do the same with privatization but I wanted to avoid the soap box this time. For now I think I'll just summarize what I think would be a better benefit to our education system. What we really need to do is adequatly fund our schools and find a way to dispel the apathy that seems to have infected many parents. My experience, as a teacher, was discouraging because I didn't feel that there was communal support from parents or administrators. By the time students have reached high-school they understand this apathy as well and take advantage of it. We also need some solid standards, but not the kind enforced by NCLB. I think we need to have stronger standards at the elementary level in order to not advance children that don't have basic skills. I know I've said a lot and not offered any real solutions. This is something I've thought a lot about and there is too much to say here. If you are really interested in a dialogue though, feel free to post your comments and I'll respond. Honestly, I'd be more interested to hear your comments.
--Chuck
I think you said a lot of things I agree with—“No Child Left Behind” most definitely leaves too many children behind, not to mention advancing children who should be left behind. And, no, I don’t think privatization is the answer, as only a public school system guarantees everyone the right to an education. And it should be an equal education, although we both know what a joke that is.
I’ve seen the difference it makes for students to come form a wealthy, upper class school district. Overall such students are better prepared for college. We need to adequately fund our schools and pay our teachers what they’re worth. We also need to adequately train our teachers, which is a subtopic, but one I feel passionately about.
I need to think more about this topic. I might post something soon once I’ve gathered my thoughts. Thanks for the great comment!
I think you are right, we seem to be on the same page. I would agree that we need to adequately train teachers. It doesn't help that in some areas teachers are being hired without completing certification. I know there have been efforts in this area in many states including WA where I used to teach. However, I can also say that (at least in WA) the efforts will not be effective and are actually alienating good teachers instead of creating them.
--Chuck
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