I've been reading, with alternating horror and amusement (though more of the former than the latter), ways in which to improve this nation's educational system. They all seem to be ignoring one way of doing it that would not only lead the way to a genuine improvement in education, but a tax savings of enormous proportions (nearly $47 billion in fiscal year 2010 alone).
Get rid of the Department of Education.
There is no greater impediment to teaching our children than having the Federal government involved. The education of our children should be, at the highest, a state-level concern. Ideally, it should be something each family decides for their individual children, but I'm going to aim low for the moment and see what can be done at a basic level first.
Without Federal interference, there would be much less emphasis on the ridiculous notion that standardized tests are the be-all and end-all of determining a student's knowledge and the worth of his education. Without the need for standardized tests of this type taking up all the time in a classroom, the teachers would have time to actually teach their subjects.
I'll elaborate more on this later, but that's the start of one of my schemes to help make the country great again. There will be more later.
4 comments:
I agree with you. As a teacher, I'm so bogged down with testing, paperwork, TEKS, lesson plans, extra duty and other such nonsense that I don't feel I'm as good of a teacher as I could be.
I too disapprove of the standardized testing process. However, I think letting the states be in control (as they basically are now) is a huge mistake. Are you aware of the ways in which Texas has altered their history books this year? It's a nightmare. You can't take Thomas Jefferson (among others) out of history just because you think he's too liberal. Who are they claiming wrote the Declaration of Independence? I think it would be better to leave it to families, with some structure so that you know that kids are getting education beyond the Bible.
I think the plan that you and Tiff have in place for your kids is an excellent one. I'd suggest reading this blog: welcometomybrain.net Christine home schools her kids with truly amazing results. She seems very in line with the sort of things that Tiff would be in to.
See, socialist hippies can be reasonable!
I agree!!
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