Will children be educated enough to understand when making self-serving, society-serving or morally-based decisions, or is today’s educational criteria a form of brainwashing to help our current government stay in power? “Conflict theorists argue that the real purpose of the public school system is to reproduce and maintain the existing class structure in our society.” (123) In several sections of the book, I disagreed with the notion that education best serves society; I believe it should be the other way
Each state has federal laws in place to regulate tests, curriculum, how much funding each school receives, to scholarship, and grants. What is wrong with this is that there is a conflict between federal, state , and school boards about what agendas are important; a student can be a C average in one state or school and move to another where they are on the honor role, I know of this first hand. Another problem is that federal and state government prevents poorer schools from receiving the funding they need to help their students improve academically. Because of the lack of funding for much needed improvements and resources, the poorer schools also have the worst performance ratings. Creating this bigger gap in funding only hinders a school from achieving academic excellence and eventually causes teachers to lose jobs and schools to shut down.
In 2013, education research organization FairTest printed a list of established cases of state test scores handling at least 37 states and Washington, D.C.. According to ASCD Educational Leadership (March 1999, vol 56, Number 6, Using Standards and Assessments, pg 8-15), critics fear that school overseers may also be attracted to force the low-performing students into special education, so their test performance will not impact the schools’ and districts’ cumulative scores. By forcing these students into special education classes, they are being denied educational opportunities that can impact their future, and possibly impact their role in society. Readings issued by The Harvard Education Review and RethinkingSchool.org, have emphasized the problem of ethnic bias in standardized testing, with their essential argument stating that standardized tests asked students to lure knowledge that they are more than likely not to acquire in
This can have a negative effect on the children and cause them to ‘hate’ school and as soon as they are able to they will ‘drop out’. According to Deborah White who wrote the guide in about.com, she stated, “These supporters also believes that NCLB initiative will further democratize U.S. education, by setting standards and providing resources to schools, regardless of wealth, ethnicity, disabilities or language spoken” (2011). Since the NCLB’s 2002 inception, the act hasn’t been effective in improving education in public education; this is evident in the high schools mixed results in the standardized tests. In January 2007, Education Secretary Margaret Spellings published "Building on Results: A Blue print for Strengthening the No Child Left Behind Act," in which the Bush Administration: • Asserts that the Act "is challenging our students to succeed and our schools to improve." • Claims that "90% of teachers have met NCLB's highly qualified teacher requirements... At-risk students are getting help earlier... children with disabilities are receiving more classroom time and attention...
While there are several “rags to riches” stories that serve to encourage the members of the lower class to work hard and achieve their dreams, much truth lies in the fact that the government does not provide enough opportunities for them to do so. I would recommend revising the school choice provision of the No Child Left Behind Act in order to enable the mobility of students to schools located outside of their district. By doing so, many of the children within the working class would have the option to attend a school where they could receive the same opportunities as those of their high-born
Like I said before, test scores are not what education is about, education is about learning and grasping a subject. The government is placing an emphasis on test scores when in actuality they should be focusing on learning. I feel that for education to thrive the government needs to be less critical about test scores and place more significance in creativity and originality in the classroom. It doesn’t mean abandoning these tests; it just means that we should not place so much weight on these tests. I feel like the performance on one test should not dictate whether you do or do not advance a grade.
This act is right along with the national standards and testing that is considered every students right to achieve their goals in school. I think that each student and the student’s parents are responsible for making sure the student passes the test that will move him or her along. Some will argue that the government is trying to control the education of our children by passing a law that states that if your child does not pass the annual test that he or she would have to retake the test until they pass it. Parents often feel politicians in Washington have no understanding of local conditions and needs. Even though the states assess the progress of the students by their test scores the assessments vary from state to state.
Critical Reflection Paper I Rokhsana Vyajkora EFND521 July 12, 2013 Dr. Pellegrino ABSTRACT Traditional forms of public schooling were opposed by the movement of Progressive education. The advocates of this movement were taking a stance against the traditional teacher lead classroom. It advocated the need for children to experience their learning through hands on projects and collaboration amongst others. In comparing the philosophy of John Dewey with the philosophy of Jesuit Education, it has proven Dewey to have been a strong opponent of the traditional forms of public schooling. This has also impacted the children during the progressive era.
I am writing my research paper to show that the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) act is a failure. The NCLB act was brought forth in 2001 by the George W. Bush administration in an effort to assess basic skills and raise national test scores. In this essay I will provide evidence that NCLB is in fact making it harder for children to succeed. Although NCLB has raised test scores, it requires teachers to “teach to the test,” as opposed to teaching children what they actually need to know to succeed, and leaves children unprepared for further education. NCLB also takes the focus off of the arts and puts it all on subjects that are tested by the state.
A problem with our education system today is it is impossible for many citizens to receive the benefits of higher learning for the simple fact that they cannot afford it. So in an effort to change this, President Obama made another proposal for Congress to change the Higher Education Act in hopes that the federal aid provided to schools is based on affordability and the value of the education received. In addition to that, his administration has made public a “College Scorecard” that which gives citizens the opportunity to compare colleges’ criteria. This will essentially allow parents and students to receive an education worthy of all the money that is being invested into the school. Last but not least, the President touched on the Newtown tragedy and the several other shootings that have occurred since then as he began to discuss policies on gun control.