Comments on: Do you agree with governor’s veto of bill that would have expanded school accountability system?

By: vindex

vindex — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 21:41:05 +0000

Absolutely not. If you read into the details of “Race to the Top”, it is worse than Pres. Bush’s “No Child Left Behind”. Teachers are paid based on students test scores that don’t pass the smell test. Teachers and students are being hurt by this proposal.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:23:37 +0000

Do you support the state’s decision to apply for a Race to the Top Early Learning grant?
Details are here: http://bit.ly/o6xYli

By: vindex

vindex — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 19:01:39 +0000

Thanks Theresa for posting the Secretary’s take. Notice how many times he says “accountable”? That is political talk for testing. I’ve already stated my case above on the problems with that. I’ve been in numerous classrooms over the past 15 years at the elementary and secondary levels observing teachers. For the most part, they are outstanding. A few that need to be removed, but for the most part outstanding. I’m afraid however that this profession is underpaid and we are not getting the cream of the crop with the new teachers. Too many hoops to jump through to be a teacher today with not enough monetary rewards to follow. Many of them do it for the “calling” aspect, but after five years realize that the “livelihood” aspect falls short. Pres. Obama does nothing to fix this with his proposals and in my opinion exacerbates the problem by introducing “competition” in the classrooms. No teacher will be willing to teach struggling students if their paycheck will be severely affected by having those children in their schools. J, I agree it is already a struggle, but if Pres. Obama gets his way, you haven’t seen anything.

By: Theresa Harrington

Theresa Harrington — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 01:25:21 +0000

Here’s U.S. Ed. Secretary Arne Duncan’s take on efforts to overhaul ESEA: http://www.ed.gov/blog/2011/10/reforming-nclb-requires-flexibility-and-accountability/

By: Just J

Just J — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:41:10 +0000

Vindex, Just my opinion The system either way is messed up. They (the school diistricts) don’t teach the kids that struggle anyway. If they would get out of the one size fits all structure and just teach kids should be able to fly with the testing. California standards are very low.

By: vindex

vindex — Mon, 17 Oct 2011 02:14:01 +0000

As a social scientist the testing structure is a farce. No control groups, giving a score year after year for schools that serve different children every year. The public needs to understand that this testing as absolutely no validity. With that said, between the two.. The state’s version as actually BETTER than Pres. Obama’s proposal. He seeks in his “Race to the Top” requirements if you opt out of the state testing. This program bases teachers scores on these invalid tests. Talk about problems? The teachers will not be willing to teach students that struggle (which there are many) and will fight for the high scores on the scores. Pres. Obama’s plan is a disaster.