OT
I didn't save it but I did read the results I received in the mail for the school district where I pay taxes. Generally, the results were mostly pathetic compared to the State averages, which quite honestly weren't so hot either. Some of the items that stuck out in the report were along the lines of students scoring well at certain grade levels in English, but the same students had horrible results for math. I don't think it takes a rocket scientist to figure out that the numbers suggest there is something wrong with the quality of the math department.
The basics of what was outlined in the No Child Left Behind literature I received is really pretty simple. It's essentially a program to set standards for the educators themselves, and dump those who aren't getting the job done, plus give the students in under performing schools some alternatives. I don't recall the exact details off the top of my head, but after a certain period, the Administrators of under performing schools get fired. How you've come to the conclusion this is a Republican plot to privatize education is beyond my ability to comprehend, unless it's the result of a failure on your part to do some basic research. Try this link for a general outline: ed.gov
Just because Bush signed it doesn't make it a bad law, although I'd tend to go along with the idea he didn't have much to do with putting it together, any more than he did the "do not call lists". I've known some exceptionally talented educators. My view is they should be the rule rather than the exception. I don't think the NCLB program goes far enough fast enough, and I have my doubts about the actual execution, but the concept is the right approach as far as I'm concerned. Get better training for those educators with the aptitude to excel beyond mediocre, and dump those unsuited to the profession.
There's a point were we should agree to disagree and drop the off topic discussion. I think we share enough common ground on the main subject that it serves no useful purpose to make this a bone of contention. |
