Every day we fail to act is another day children are left behind.
More than anything, we need a public information campaign. It is as easy as designing a brochure and passing it out. Here's what I put together for my state: Common Sense in Public Education Law. I would gladly help you modify this one for your state. Please feel free to contact me at victoriayoung@clearwire.net.
Consider these Focus Areas for the Re-Write of NCLB
►educate teachers, counselors, parents, and principals to be more effective
►provide information to families, educators, and communities to build successful partnerships
►provide flexibility to stimulate local initiatives coupled with responsibility for results
►support and facilitate school improvement processes for lowest-performing schools and states
Accountability begins with answers and we should start seeking those answers from the top. The obvious question is, why hasn’t Congress acted to change the faulty law they created? Those that voted for it should have to explain their vote, how they feel about the law now, what they have learned, and, what “justification” they have for shirking their duty for the past 4 years.
Before We Act to “Fix the System,” we urgently need to have some open discussions to address what principles and values we believe should guide our actions, and those of our representatives. Call for a town hall meeting. If your representative won’t meet, let that be known and find a local civic organization to sponsor such a meeting. Write up your recommendations and petition your representatives.
Review and Reestablish our Goal – is the goal of elementary schools to set a strong foundation for future learning while the goal of secondary schools (middle & high school) is to “provide for the interests, needs, and abilities of all types of pupils”* in addition to college and / or job preparation?
Should we “Judge schools by the extent to which they satisfactorily meet the needs of all pupils…” *?
Should we Evaluate our Education Programs based collectively on Six Elements *?
1) Curriculum
2) Pupil activities
3) Library
4) Guidance
5) Instruction
6) Outcomes
*Quotes and information from the Cooperative Study of Secondary School Standards (1939).
Accountability in public schooling should flow in two ways: Federal, state, and local policy makers should be held accountable for providing equity in the learning conditions for every student. And local schools should be held accountable for student growth and academic success, as measured by a balanced range of indicators.
The Forum on Education and Democracy
It’s time we took action to define our government's role in education, our community’s role, and our expectations of the public education system and the public’s responsibility in supporting a public education system.
Isn't it time we used our common sense, knowledge and experience to think through a logical direction? It should start with reviewing where we're at, what we have to work with, and absolutely must include where we wish to go.
Isn't it time we used our common sense, knowledge and experience to think through a logical direction? It should start with reviewing where we're at, what we have to work with, and absolutely must include where we wish to go.
We Have Answers; We Must Act on What We Know
Progress Succeed
“To strengthen and improve educational quality and educational opportunities in the Nation’s elementary and secondary schools.” ESEA 1965 ( Summary of ESEA )
Progress Succeed
“To strengthen and improve educational quality and educational opportunities in the Nation’s elementary and secondary schools.” ESEA 1965 ( Summary of ESEA )
