What referendums have been related to education in Colorado in recent years?
Referendum C passed in 2005 is one of the most recent referendums involving education in Colorado in recent years. This referendum allows the state of Colorado to keep more of the tax money that was originally returned to the citizens due to the TABOR tax reforms that were passed in 1995. These TABOR tax laws say that the state of Colorado can only keep a certain amount of money from taxes based on the inflation and increase in population, but it short changes many of the necessary spending that Colorado once used this money on. Referendum C allowed Colorado to keep more money, and to spend more of this money on the public schools systems. The same ones that were lacking funds under the TABOR laws.
What interest groups are there related to education?
Here is a list of educational interest groups:
American Federation of Teachers
Center for Education Reform (Conservative)
Educational Excellence Network (Conservative)
Educational Resources Information Center (Government Resource)
EdWeb (Liberal Index)
National Education Association (Teachers' Union)
Partnership for Public Education (Liberal)
SchoolReport.com (Conservative)
Separation of School & State Alliance (Libertarian)
What does each group want changed or unchanged? What tactics are used to get reform?
The general goal of the majority of these interest groups is to increase the amount of funding to schools. They believe that schools need more money to better educate our youth, because after all they are the future leaders of our nation.
Which of these groups has been most successful in causing reform?
The American Federation of Teachers has been most successful in causing reforms because they are unified under their mission, “to improve the lives of our members and their families, to give voice to their legitimate professional, economic and social aspirations, to strengthen the institutions in which we work, to improve the quality of the services we provide, to bring together all members to assist and support one another and to promote democracy, human rights and freedom in our union, in our nation and throughout the world.” (http://usgovinfo.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?site=http://www.aft.org/). They lobby in Washington D.C. to senators, and are the experts when it comes to education. They lobby to start legislation, and are extremely interested in improving education in America.
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
Federal Courts
What cases have been brought to a federal court relating to education in 2007-08?
Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York v. Tom F. The Supreme Court declined to take sides in the issue of reimbursement for the private education of those with special needs in a case brought by MTV co-founder Tom Freston. On October 10, 2007, the Court affirmed the decision below in Board of Education of the City School District of New York v. Tom F.. The per curiam decision reflected a 4-4 vote, with Justice Anthony Kennedy taking no part in the consideration of the case.
What landmark Supreme Court decision has affected education?
Keyishian v. Board of Regents (1967): Supreme Court ruling stated that schools must function as “a marketplace of ideas.” Decision invalidated loyalty oaths that required educators to swear that they did not belong to subversive organizations.
Tinker v. DesMoines Independent Community School District (1969): Court upheld the right of students to wear black arm bands as a sign of protest against the Vietnam War. Private student expression was constitutionally protected as long as it does not “materially and substantially” interfere with the appropriate discipline in operation at the school or collide with the rights of others.
Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986): Ruling upheld the power of authorities to censor lewd, vulgar, and indecent student expression. This decision empowers school officials to impose appropriate dress codes that do not discriminate on the content of students’ messages and are not discriminatorily enforced.
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988): Case upheld the power of public school officials to censor student expression in school newspapers and other school-sponsored activities as long as the censorship decisions are rooted in pedagogical concerns.
Board of Education v. Pico (1982): Court affirmed the broad discretion delegated to school boards when making instructional decisions, be they social, moral, or political. As a result, the Court affirmed the power of local boards to remove vulgar or educationally unsuitable materials from the schools.
Pickering v. Board of Education (1968): Teachers have a legal right to express their opinions on matters of public concern.
Mt. Healthy City School District v. Doyle (1977): Schools have a right to dismiss employees who air their concerns publicly so long as sufficient cause exists to terminate them independently of the protected speech.
Givhan v. Western Line Consolidated School District (1979): Ruling noted that if statements pertain to matters of a public concern, expressions made in private or through a public medium are constitutionally protected.
Connick v. Myers (1983): Form, context, and content must be considered when determining public expression. Private employment grievances are not constitutionally protected.
Waters v. Churchill (1994): Employers can fire employees for remarks believed to have been made, regardless of what was actually said, as long as a good faith investigation occurred.
Beilan v. Board of Public Education of Philadelphia (1958): Educators must respond to questions regarding their associational activities that relate to their teaching effectiveness.
Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004): School district policies that require teachers to lead willing students in the Pledge of Allegiance, which include the words “under God, do not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
Board of Education v. McClusky (1982): Court noted the power of school officials and the states to control the conduct of students. Decision bolstered Wood v. Strickland (1975).
Goss v. Lopez (1975): Students facing suspension have a legal right to due process. The Court noted that dangerous students may be removed from the premises immediately, as long as hearings are arranged ASAP. Even suspensions for one class period require informal procedures to be in place.
Ingraham v. Wright (1977): Corporal punishment did not violate the Eighth or Fourteenth Amendments. Note, however, that some states have passed laws prohibiting corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure.
Howlett v. Rose (1990): School officials can be sued if they arbitrarily violate students’ rights in disciplinary hearings.
Wood v. Strickland (1975): Ignorance of the law, noted the Court, will not protect school officials from liability.
Carey v. Piphus (1978): Impairment of students’ procedural due process rights will only result in nominal damage awards (not to exceed one dollar). Substantial damages can only be recovered if the suspensions were not justifiable.
New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985): The Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches applies to school officials, but the authorities’ interest in discipline requires the practice of reasonable searches if a sufficient probability of wrongdoing exists.
United States v. Place (1983): The use of drug sniffing dogs in schools does not constitute a search, thereby not violating an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
Veronia School District 47J v. Acton (1995): Decision upheld the legality of random drug testing of student athletes.
Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls (2002): The Student Activities Drug Testing Policy (Policy) adopted by the Tecumseh, Oklahoma, School District that requires all middle and high school students to consent to urinalysis testing for drugs in order to participate in any extracurricular activity did not violate the Fourth Amendment. The Court ruled that the policy was a reasonable means of furthering the School District's important interest in preventing and deterring drug use among its schoolchildren.
What cases have been brought to a federal court relating to education in 2007-08?
Board of Education of the City School District of the City of New York v. Tom F. The Supreme Court declined to take sides in the issue of reimbursement for the private education of those with special needs in a case brought by MTV co-founder Tom Freston. On October 10, 2007, the Court affirmed the decision below in Board of Education of the City School District of New York v. Tom F.. The per curiam decision reflected a 4-4 vote, with Justice Anthony Kennedy taking no part in the consideration of the case.
What landmark Supreme Court decision has affected education?
Keyishian v. Board of Regents (1967): Supreme Court ruling stated that schools must function as “a marketplace of ideas.” Decision invalidated loyalty oaths that required educators to swear that they did not belong to subversive organizations.
Tinker v. DesMoines Independent Community School District (1969): Court upheld the right of students to wear black arm bands as a sign of protest against the Vietnam War. Private student expression was constitutionally protected as long as it does not “materially and substantially” interfere with the appropriate discipline in operation at the school or collide with the rights of others.
Bethel School District No. 403 v. Fraser (1986): Ruling upheld the power of authorities to censor lewd, vulgar, and indecent student expression. This decision empowers school officials to impose appropriate dress codes that do not discriminate on the content of students’ messages and are not discriminatorily enforced.
Hazelwood School District v. Kuhlmeier (1988): Case upheld the power of public school officials to censor student expression in school newspapers and other school-sponsored activities as long as the censorship decisions are rooted in pedagogical concerns.
Board of Education v. Pico (1982): Court affirmed the broad discretion delegated to school boards when making instructional decisions, be they social, moral, or political. As a result, the Court affirmed the power of local boards to remove vulgar or educationally unsuitable materials from the schools.
Pickering v. Board of Education (1968): Teachers have a legal right to express their opinions on matters of public concern.
Mt. Healthy City School District v. Doyle (1977): Schools have a right to dismiss employees who air their concerns publicly so long as sufficient cause exists to terminate them independently of the protected speech.
Givhan v. Western Line Consolidated School District (1979): Ruling noted that if statements pertain to matters of a public concern, expressions made in private or through a public medium are constitutionally protected.
Connick v. Myers (1983): Form, context, and content must be considered when determining public expression. Private employment grievances are not constitutionally protected.
Waters v. Churchill (1994): Employers can fire employees for remarks believed to have been made, regardless of what was actually said, as long as a good faith investigation occurred.
Beilan v. Board of Public Education of Philadelphia (1958): Educators must respond to questions regarding their associational activities that relate to their teaching effectiveness.
Elk Grove Unified School District v. Newdow (2004): School district policies that require teachers to lead willing students in the Pledge of Allegiance, which include the words “under God, do not violate the establishment clause of the First Amendment.
Board of Education v. McClusky (1982): Court noted the power of school officials and the states to control the conduct of students. Decision bolstered Wood v. Strickland (1975).
Goss v. Lopez (1975): Students facing suspension have a legal right to due process. The Court noted that dangerous students may be removed from the premises immediately, as long as hearings are arranged ASAP. Even suspensions for one class period require informal procedures to be in place.
Ingraham v. Wright (1977): Corporal punishment did not violate the Eighth or Fourteenth Amendments. Note, however, that some states have passed laws prohibiting corporal punishment as a disciplinary measure.
Howlett v. Rose (1990): School officials can be sued if they arbitrarily violate students’ rights in disciplinary hearings.
Wood v. Strickland (1975): Ignorance of the law, noted the Court, will not protect school officials from liability.
Carey v. Piphus (1978): Impairment of students’ procedural due process rights will only result in nominal damage awards (not to exceed one dollar). Substantial damages can only be recovered if the suspensions were not justifiable.
New Jersey v. T.L.O. (1985): The Fourth Amendment’s protection against unreasonable searches applies to school officials, but the authorities’ interest in discipline requires the practice of reasonable searches if a sufficient probability of wrongdoing exists.
United States v. Place (1983): The use of drug sniffing dogs in schools does not constitute a search, thereby not violating an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy.
Veronia School District 47J v. Acton (1995): Decision upheld the legality of random drug testing of student athletes.
Board of Education of Independent School District No. 92 of Pottawatomie County v. Earls (2002): The Student Activities Drug Testing Policy (Policy) adopted by the Tecumseh, Oklahoma, School District that requires all middle and high school students to consent to urinalysis testing for drugs in order to participate in any extracurricular activity did not violate the Fourth Amendment. The Court ruled that the policy was a reasonable means of furthering the School District's important interest in preventing and deterring drug use among its schoolchildren.
The Federal Bureaucracy
What kind of red tape applies to education changes?
The red tape that the employees in the education system have to go through is said to be endless miles of red tape. They must comply with mandates, many of which are unfunded. Here is an example from an article written by David Kirkpatrick, “A school superintendent in suburban Philadelphia once said he had to comply with 1,027 mandates, 70 percent of which were unfunded. Ohio Governor, now U.S. Senator, George Voinovich estimated Ohio school administrators spent 50 percent of their time filling out federal forms, which accounted for only 6 percent of education funding there. Arizona’s chief school officer, Lisa Graham Keegan, said it took 165 of her staff, 45 percent of the total, to manage federal programs that comprised only 6 percent of her budget. The USDoE has estimated its requirements impose 48.6 million hours of paperwork, the equivalent of 25,000 full-time employees.”
How many education employees are there at the federal and local levels?
Education has many employees both at the state and federal levels. One of the top most federal branches in the education system is the national department of education. At the state level, there are teachers, principals, superintendents. Any employee or staff member that works in the school district is an employee of the educational system.
What is the independent regulatory commission for education?
This agency allows for the education system to propose revisions and changes that need to be made in the education system. There are many documents that show the proposed regulations. One of the many useful websites to sto study these materials is http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/
What kind of red tape applies to education changes?
The red tape that the employees in the education system have to go through is said to be endless miles of red tape. They must comply with mandates, many of which are unfunded. Here is an example from an article written by David Kirkpatrick, “A school superintendent in suburban Philadelphia once said he had to comply with 1,027 mandates, 70 percent of which were unfunded. Ohio Governor, now U.S. Senator, George Voinovich estimated Ohio school administrators spent 50 percent of their time filling out federal forms, which accounted for only 6 percent of education funding there. Arizona’s chief school officer, Lisa Graham Keegan, said it took 165 of her staff, 45 percent of the total, to manage federal programs that comprised only 6 percent of her budget. The USDoE has estimated its requirements impose 48.6 million hours of paperwork, the equivalent of 25,000 full-time employees.”
How many education employees are there at the federal and local levels?
Education has many employees both at the state and federal levels. One of the top most federal branches in the education system is the national department of education. At the state level, there are teachers, principals, superintendents. Any employee or staff member that works in the school district is an employee of the educational system.
What is the independent regulatory commission for education?
This agency allows for the education system to propose revisions and changes that need to be made in the education system. There are many documents that show the proposed regulations. One of the many useful websites to sto study these materials is http://www.irrc.state.pa.us/
The Budget
How is education affected by the budget?
Education is primarily a State and local responsibility in the United States. It is States and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation. The structure of education finance in America reflects this predominant State and local role. Of an estimated $1 trillion being spent nationwide on education at all levels for school year 2007-2008, a substantial majority will come from State, local, and private sources. This is especially true at the elementary and secondary level, where just over 91 percent of the funds will come from non-Federal sources.
What cuts have been made recently to education?
Although there haven’t been any major cuts recently in the budget there have been some changes in the staffing numbers and distributions of responsibilities. The number of employees hasn’t changed since the beginning of the 1980s but the Department of Education has taken on more responsibilities.How important is education in the budget?
Education accounts for a little less than 9 percent of the budget in America right now. Numbers wise education doesn’t seem like it is that important but it actually helps in many ways. The Department of Education receives funding that also helps with other programs such as the Department of Health and Human Services' Head Start program and the Department of Agriculture's School Lunch program.
How much money is education allocated by the budget? / How much is appropriated?
Roughly $1 trillion dollars is allocated to the education system each year and $68.6 million is appropriated from Congress. Again the education system makes up roughly 9 percent of the national budget.
How is education affected by the budget?
Education is primarily a State and local responsibility in the United States. It is States and communities, as well as public and private organizations of all kinds, that establish schools and colleges, develop curricula, and determine requirements for enrollment and graduation. The structure of education finance in America reflects this predominant State and local role. Of an estimated $1 trillion being spent nationwide on education at all levels for school year 2007-2008, a substantial majority will come from State, local, and private sources. This is especially true at the elementary and secondary level, where just over 91 percent of the funds will come from non-Federal sources.
What cuts have been made recently to education?
Although there haven’t been any major cuts recently in the budget there have been some changes in the staffing numbers and distributions of responsibilities. The number of employees hasn’t changed since the beginning of the 1980s but the Department of Education has taken on more responsibilities.How important is education in the budget?
Education accounts for a little less than 9 percent of the budget in America right now. Numbers wise education doesn’t seem like it is that important but it actually helps in many ways. The Department of Education receives funding that also helps with other programs such as the Department of Health and Human Services' Head Start program and the Department of Agriculture's School Lunch program.
How much money is education allocated by the budget? / How much is appropriated?
Roughly $1 trillion dollars is allocated to the education system each year and $68.6 million is appropriated from Congress. Again the education system makes up roughly 9 percent of the national budget.
Monday, May 12, 2008
Party Platforms
1. What is the impact of money from education based PACs on education policy?
PACs donate money in the form of campaign contributions to candidates who they feel most strongly support education reform and/or the increased funding of schools. This money is used to run the campaign of said candidate. If this candidate is to win their election (at any level) they will often remember this contribution and in turn, with the help of the PAC members, introduce legislation supporting the PACs policy goals. In this way the PAC is able to influence public policy without directly taking office.
2. How is education policy included in campaign promises or platforms?
A candidate’s campaign platform, his manifesto, is filled with list of the principles which he supports in order to appeal to the general public for the sole purpose of getting votes and getting put into office. This platform often takes the form of a list of support for, or opposition to, controversial topics. Each individual topic is sometimes referred to as the plank of the campaign platform. Candidates invariably have education policy included in their campaign promises- since education reform is a controversial topic in American politics, a politician will include his position on education in his platform in order to gain crucial votes from those people who are primarily interested in education reform. These campaign promises that deal with education are often broken, as are all other election promises.
1. What is the impact of money from education based PACs on education policy?
PACs donate money in the form of campaign contributions to candidates who they feel most strongly support education reform and/or the increased funding of schools. This money is used to run the campaign of said candidate. If this candidate is to win their election (at any level) they will often remember this contribution and in turn, with the help of the PAC members, introduce legislation supporting the PACs policy goals. In this way the PAC is able to influence public policy without directly taking office.
2. How is education policy included in campaign promises or platforms?
A candidate’s campaign platform, his manifesto, is filled with list of the principles which he supports in order to appeal to the general public for the sole purpose of getting votes and getting put into office. This platform often takes the form of a list of support for, or opposition to, controversial topics. Each individual topic is sometimes referred to as the plank of the campaign platform. Candidates invariably have education policy included in their campaign promises- since education reform is a controversial topic in American politics, a politician will include his position on education in his platform in order to gain crucial votes from those people who are primarily interested in education reform. These campaign promises that deal with education are often broken, as are all other election promises.
Media
1. How does the media portray the state of education in the country?
During much of the latter 20th century Americans perceived themselves, and were likewise perceived internationally, as highly educated innovators whose ingenuity was second to none. This was due largely due to our development of the atomic weapon and our incredible military strength. (It is interesting to note that the development of the atomic weapon was greatly helped by many non-Americans, such as Albert Einstein). Our literacy rates, compared with the rest of the world, were extremely high. Since this time, however, the media has noted the apparent decline in American education quality. According to the media, the decreasing education quality in this nation is evidenced by falling test scores and comparatively unchallenging course matter. According to one source, of the roughly 3.5 million fourth grade children enrolled in public or private US schools, only 31 percent are proficient in reading, while 32 percent are proficient in mathematics, 29 percent in science, and 18 percent in American history. Low-income students did half as well. In fact, over half of poor fourth graders failed to show even a basic level of knowledge in reading, science, or history. They also cite our low rates of graduation from high school and our relatively low population of citizens with a professional degree as indicators of a decaying educational system. Seventy percent of public school students graduate on time, and less than half of these students are qualified to attend four-year colleges or universities. Roughly half of black and Hispanic students graduate on time. Twenty-six percent of Americans have a bachelor’s or higher degree. Women earn more associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees and almost half of professional and doctorate degrees. This also points to an additional startling trend in American education- the fact that males score significantly worse on tests, and perform more poorly than their female counterparts in school. There are more women than men enrolled in college today, and as evidenced by the above statistic, there are more women with professional degrees than there are males. Much of the media coverage today that pertains to education reform and legislation has to do with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This act often abbreviated in print as NCLB. It is known as a controversial federal law whose main aim was to set standards that would eventually improve scholastic performance in American primary and secondary schools. Legislators, alarmed at the disturbing statistics about the American education system, put in place laws that increased the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools. Additionally, NCLB re-authorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The Act was passed in the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001, United States Senate on June 14, 2001 and signed into law on January 8, 2002.
According to one source…
“NCLB is known as standards based education reform…formerly known as outcome-based education, which is based on the belief that high expectations and setting of goals will result in success for all students. The Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools. NCLB does not assert a national achievement standard; standards are set by each individual state in order to comply with the 10th amendment… which specifies that powers not granted to the federal government or forbidden to state governments are reserved powers of the individual states. The Act also requires that the schools distribute the name, home phone number and address of every student enrolled to military recruiters, unless the student (or the student's parent) specifically opts out.” (www.wikipedia.org)
The effectiveness of NCLB is a major debate in the nation, and among members of the media.. A primary criticism asserts that NCLB could reduce effective instruction and student learning because it leads teachers to the conclusion that they must “teach to the test” instead of simply presenting material and leaving the rest to the students. This promotes the proverbial “simply playing the game” that many students exhibit, instead of them actually learning the material. Supporters say that the testing required by the NCLB sheds light on poorly performing schools, and helps to narrow the gap between these schools and good ones.
As a whole, the media generally denounces the state of the American education system. There is a lot to criticize, including decaying schools, low teacher salaries, dropout rates, low graduation rates, the low amount of improvements that are actually made with the incredible amount of money spent to fix the system, and the glaring gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students (and schools). As a result the media portrays modern American students as being hugely under prepared compared to their international counterparts. These international students are fluent in up two five or six languages, while many American students are fluent in only one. These students are experts in world geography, while we often can’t even point out the United States of America on a globe.
A startling statistic…..maybe not here in the bubble, but on the outside….
-“Our analysis finds that graduating from high school in the America’s largest cities amounts, essentially, to a coin toss. Only about one-half (52 percent) of students in the principal school systems of the 50 largest cities complete high school with a diploma.
In Cleveland, Indianapolis and Detroit, the numbers are 35%, 31% and 25% respectively.”
An interesting Video…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWuvq1APX2w
2. How is education reformed through high tech media?
Americans spend a large amount of money on the education system (According to a 2005 report, the US is tied with Switzerland for the country that spends the most money per student in public schools). In 2001 alone, Americans spent an estimated $92.8 billion on education at the federal level. A significant portion of these funds are used to provide federally funded schools with high tech media devices. These include high speed computers, the internet, copiers, printers, overhead projectors, etc. The hope is that providing these tools to students will allow them to better explore the world around them, while also providing them with the information they need in a short amount of time. There are now computer labs in schools, scores of classes that participate in blogs and web casts, and whole textbooks that are provided to students online. Teachers and administrators are now providing students with vital course material through a technological medium that is more conducive to student use. Teachers are making course material more interesting and engaging for their students. A major goal of this high tech media revolution in schools is to improve student and school performance by getting students more involved in their schoolwork by making the schoolwork itself more engaging.
3. What media events have helped reform education policy?
Much of the sweeping education reform recently enacted in this country is a direct result of media coverage on the quality of American schools. One of the most important “report cards” on the American education system was the report A Nation at Risk: The Imperative For Educational Reform. This 1983 report was written by Ronald Reagan’s National Commission on Excellence in Education. The report contributed to the growing feeling that American schools were not up to snuff, and it started a wave of local, state, and federal reform efforts. The media propogated, and still propogates, the idea that our schools are underfunded and unsuccessful. There are countless news reports about the unfitness of the American education system- every day, a new statistic or claim is given that shows just how unprepared Americas students really are. A major result of the media coverage pointing to bad American schools was the aforementioned NCLB. Another direct result of the coverage has been increased funding for public schools, and increased spending on high tech media.
1. How does the media portray the state of education in the country?
During much of the latter 20th century Americans perceived themselves, and were likewise perceived internationally, as highly educated innovators whose ingenuity was second to none. This was due largely due to our development of the atomic weapon and our incredible military strength. (It is interesting to note that the development of the atomic weapon was greatly helped by many non-Americans, such as Albert Einstein). Our literacy rates, compared with the rest of the world, were extremely high. Since this time, however, the media has noted the apparent decline in American education quality. According to the media, the decreasing education quality in this nation is evidenced by falling test scores and comparatively unchallenging course matter. According to one source, of the roughly 3.5 million fourth grade children enrolled in public or private US schools, only 31 percent are proficient in reading, while 32 percent are proficient in mathematics, 29 percent in science, and 18 percent in American history. Low-income students did half as well. In fact, over half of poor fourth graders failed to show even a basic level of knowledge in reading, science, or history. They also cite our low rates of graduation from high school and our relatively low population of citizens with a professional degree as indicators of a decaying educational system. Seventy percent of public school students graduate on time, and less than half of these students are qualified to attend four-year colleges or universities. Roughly half of black and Hispanic students graduate on time. Twenty-six percent of Americans have a bachelor’s or higher degree. Women earn more associate’s, bachelor’s, and master’s degrees and almost half of professional and doctorate degrees. This also points to an additional startling trend in American education- the fact that males score significantly worse on tests, and perform more poorly than their female counterparts in school. There are more women than men enrolled in college today, and as evidenced by the above statistic, there are more women with professional degrees than there are males. Much of the media coverage today that pertains to education reform and legislation has to do with the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001. This act often abbreviated in print as NCLB. It is known as a controversial federal law whose main aim was to set standards that would eventually improve scholastic performance in American primary and secondary schools. Legislators, alarmed at the disturbing statistics about the American education system, put in place laws that increased the standards of accountability for states, school districts, and schools. Additionally, NCLB re-authorized the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965. The Act was passed in the House of Representatives on May 23, 2001, United States Senate on June 14, 2001 and signed into law on January 8, 2002.
According to one source…
“NCLB is known as standards based education reform…formerly known as outcome-based education, which is based on the belief that high expectations and setting of goals will result in success for all students. The Act requires states to develop assessments in basic skills to be given to all students in certain grades, if those states are to receive federal funding for schools. NCLB does not assert a national achievement standard; standards are set by each individual state in order to comply with the 10th amendment… which specifies that powers not granted to the federal government or forbidden to state governments are reserved powers of the individual states. The Act also requires that the schools distribute the name, home phone number and address of every student enrolled to military recruiters, unless the student (or the student's parent) specifically opts out.” (www.wikipedia.org)
The effectiveness of NCLB is a major debate in the nation, and among members of the media.. A primary criticism asserts that NCLB could reduce effective instruction and student learning because it leads teachers to the conclusion that they must “teach to the test” instead of simply presenting material and leaving the rest to the students. This promotes the proverbial “simply playing the game” that many students exhibit, instead of them actually learning the material. Supporters say that the testing required by the NCLB sheds light on poorly performing schools, and helps to narrow the gap between these schools and good ones.
As a whole, the media generally denounces the state of the American education system. There is a lot to criticize, including decaying schools, low teacher salaries, dropout rates, low graduation rates, the low amount of improvements that are actually made with the incredible amount of money spent to fix the system, and the glaring gap between advantaged and disadvantaged students (and schools). As a result the media portrays modern American students as being hugely under prepared compared to their international counterparts. These international students are fluent in up two five or six languages, while many American students are fluent in only one. These students are experts in world geography, while we often can’t even point out the United States of America on a globe.
A startling statistic…..maybe not here in the bubble, but on the outside….
-“Our analysis finds that graduating from high school in the America’s largest cities amounts, essentially, to a coin toss. Only about one-half (52 percent) of students in the principal school systems of the 50 largest cities complete high school with a diploma.
In Cleveland, Indianapolis and Detroit, the numbers are 35%, 31% and 25% respectively.”
An interesting Video…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=mWuvq1APX2w
2. How is education reformed through high tech media?
Americans spend a large amount of money on the education system (According to a 2005 report, the US is tied with Switzerland for the country that spends the most money per student in public schools). In 2001 alone, Americans spent an estimated $92.8 billion on education at the federal level. A significant portion of these funds are used to provide federally funded schools with high tech media devices. These include high speed computers, the internet, copiers, printers, overhead projectors, etc. The hope is that providing these tools to students will allow them to better explore the world around them, while also providing them with the information they need in a short amount of time. There are now computer labs in schools, scores of classes that participate in blogs and web casts, and whole textbooks that are provided to students online. Teachers and administrators are now providing students with vital course material through a technological medium that is more conducive to student use. Teachers are making course material more interesting and engaging for their students. A major goal of this high tech media revolution in schools is to improve student and school performance by getting students more involved in their schoolwork by making the schoolwork itself more engaging.
3. What media events have helped reform education policy?
Much of the sweeping education reform recently enacted in this country is a direct result of media coverage on the quality of American schools. One of the most important “report cards” on the American education system was the report A Nation at Risk: The Imperative For Educational Reform. This 1983 report was written by Ronald Reagan’s National Commission on Excellence in Education. The report contributed to the growing feeling that American schools were not up to snuff, and it started a wave of local, state, and federal reform efforts. The media propogated, and still propogates, the idea that our schools are underfunded and unsuccessful. There are countless news reports about the unfitness of the American education system- every day, a new statistic or claim is given that shows just how unprepared Americas students really are. A major result of the media coverage pointing to bad American schools was the aforementioned NCLB. Another direct result of the coverage has been increased funding for public schools, and increased spending on high tech media.
The Presidency
Which president has had the biggest impact on education?
Though most education reform comes from the state level i.e. Gov. Bill Ritter's "Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids" in 2008; the most recent president to try to vastly impact education was Bill Clinton and his reform policy that was altered immensely by other Democrats. His policy would have changed our education system greatly but that never happened. The biggest impact though in recent years has been the “No Child Left Behind” Act. This act increased the accountability of states and schools and following the Republican Party line made it easier for parents to get their children into their school of choice.
Who is the Secretary of Education to the President?
In the executive office, education is represented by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. Spellings is a mother who has put her children through school thus giving her more insight into the importance of education.
Which president has had the biggest impact on education?
Though most education reform comes from the state level i.e. Gov. Bill Ritter's "Colorado Achievement Plan for Kids" in 2008; the most recent president to try to vastly impact education was Bill Clinton and his reform policy that was altered immensely by other Democrats. His policy would have changed our education system greatly but that never happened. The biggest impact though in recent years has been the “No Child Left Behind” Act. This act increased the accountability of states and schools and following the Republican Party line made it easier for parents to get their children into their school of choice.
Who is the Secretary of Education to the President?
In the executive office, education is represented by Education Secretary Margaret Spellings. Spellings is a mother who has put her children through school thus giving her more insight into the importance of education.
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