I understand cutting federal support for schools or districts would seem to stimulate academic performance, but we've already seen it to not be the case. No child Left Behind (NCLB) did not result in tremendous leaps in exam success. President Obama's (or Arne Duncan's) idea that schools unable to manage progress would suffer cuts to funding will do little more than demoralise teachers already sacrificing too much in an attempt to motivate children who themselves attempting to cope issues often more intimidating than a distant exam.
Cutting cash from schools, students and communities which need it is folly. Such a policy will further divide the classes of America, allowing the wealthy who can afford extracurricular activities to better prepare their children for the future while simultaneously planting a bootheel in the face of the families one rung down struggling to put shoes on feet, food on tables and a roof over heads.
recommend
Facebook
Twitter
bookmark 
print
Comments: 11
Helping with what the schools need to raise their scores is whats needed.
Do we need phonetics?
One thing we do not have is a "national standard" for basic scholastic standards.
What is expected from any grade level?? Right now, there is 50 states with 50 different levels of what is right. And that is wrong
Yes, raising scores (improving learning) can be done partly by making the child's world calmer and safer.
Phonetics is on a roundabout. Some say it's helpful; some say it's worthless. With time, the ratio of supporters changes. Of course, if the kids are distracted by the gunshots and shouting they heard outside all last night, they won't learn it.
National standards in such a large country with varying economic regions and high immigrant populations in parts would be difficult to apply fairly. This is something I have thought about often but can't decide the best way to make it possible. I'm not giving up though. Why won't Duncan answer my letters?
As for letters; I have blocked many people, for spamming me, and a few had apologised and I removed them from my blocked e-mail list.
That is IF he had blocked you. I do not right off the bat, can think of anyone by the name of Duncan.
Duncan is a reference to Arne Duncan, the Secretary of Education in Wash.D.C.
I remember this NBA rookie, who broke his ankle sometime late in his first season, a career ending injury.
He ended up suing the LA school district and UCLA because he could not read or write above a 4th grade level.
And you're right - parents who can't be involved (for whatever reason) are also a serious concern to teachers hoping to see growth in students.
*Director of Cheerfulness* Sending smiles your way:):):):):)
Thanks.