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Now I'm not talking about all Republicans. But ever since I got my teaching degree, I noticed that conservatives, in general have a much more hostile attitude toward public ed. than liberals. My Democrat friends have always encouraged me in my career choice, while some conservative friends act like "well...whatever floats your boat man...". One friend even tried to get me to switch careers because public schools were so "anti-God". I got the impression that you can't be a true conservative and agree with universal public education. I really believe that what I'm doing is very beneficial to society.
Now I know public schools have problems, and there needs to be reform, but why are so many conservatives wanting to throw the baby out with the bathwater?
The loony left has an agenda they wish to pursue. The problem they run into is that their crazy ideas don't make sense to an adult. So they push them onto children who don't yet have a mature BS filter. The best way for the loony left to get access to our children is through the PS. They can fill their heads with all sorts of liberal ideas like white Christian heterosexual male bigotry, man-made global warming, war mongering, animal rights, atheism/secular humanism and the like. Since the PS continually fail to teach math, verifiable science, reading, composition, history, etc., they really don't need to spend valuable class time pushing their values onto our children, but somehow they always seem to find time. Then they blame the parents for their own failures. If your mechanic doesn't fix your car correctly you can go to a new mechanic. We don't have that same option with the PS. Unless you're well to do, it's a monopoly. People at the bottom fight for vouchers and are opposed by liberals who want access to our children.
Originally posted by Alex Libman
The purpose of public education is to brainwash children into obedience to the government. The more local a government is, the more answerable to the people, so there's a risk of the state losing its grip. The Feds make sure that doesn't happen.
Yep, that's what we all do. we stay up late at night reading Marx and Engels, trying to figure out how to snare kids and teens into the virtues of the socialist greater good. Oh, and we teach kids how to do witchcraft as well. We tried suspending the christian kids, but that didn't work out I think that's why there aren't any rebellious teenagers in the U.S. They're too compliant toward the government.
I mean, really people, get a clue. Have you ever been in a public school since you graduated? I've never seen a socialist/anti-God conspiracy to brainwash children. I an every teacher I've met simply want to give kids an education and provide them with opportunities to succeed. There are worse things I could be doing with my life, you know.
I hate to break it to you, but one of my earlier posts explains what happens when the states are left to take care of their own systems. In case you missed it...
Nationwide, student achievement in the public schools is actually much lower than most people think. Each state's education officials establish their own state standards, commission/construct their own tests, and set their own 'passing' scores. This has resulted in manipulations that make it look like public schools are educating our children, when in reality the majority of students in many states are far below acceptable levels of proficiency. In some cases, there's as much as a 70 percentage point difference in proficiency levels between state achievement tests and the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) tests.
If you want to see your state's reported proficiency level vs. the NAEP proficiency level (to see if your public schools are being honest about providing an adequate education), check here: NAEP Researchcenter - NAEP and State Equivalent Percent Table
For each grade level, the first column lists the percentage of students scoring as proficient (meets or exceeds state standards) on the state test; the second column lists the percentage of students scoring as proficient on the NAEP (National test).
Those who know what's going on (or rather, what's not going on) in our nation's public schools are growing increasingly dissatisfied with how poorly our students are being educated.
On that link, not one state scored even 50% on the national test. How can a test be considered standard if it fails everyone?
Since schools have been held accountable for scores on tests in order to keep funding, the teachers have been forced to teach to the test, at the expense of critical thinking skills and individualized academics.
There is obviously a difference in test questions between national and state tests to have such a discrepancy. When states create their own tests, they may use some different types of questions than the national test has. So teachers are forced to teach to the state test, rather than the national test.
I hate to break it to you, but one of my earlier posts explains what happens when the states are left to take care of their own systems. In case you missed it...
Nationwide, student achievement in the public schools is actually much lower than most people think. Each state's education officials establish their own state standards, commission/construct their own tests, and set their own 'passing' scores. This has resulted in manipulations that make it look like public schools are educating our children, when in reality the majority of students in many states are far below acceptable levels of proficiency. In some cases, there's as much as a 70 percentage point difference in proficiency levels between state achievement tests and the NAEP (National Assessment of Educational Progress) tests.
If you want to see your state's reported proficiency level vs. the NAEP proficiency level (to see if your public schools are being honest about providing an adequate education), check here: NAEP Researchcenter - NAEP and State Equivalent Percent Table
For each grade level, the first column lists the percentage of students scoring as proficient (meets or exceeds state standards) on the state test; the second column lists the percentage of students scoring as proficient on the NAEP (National test).
Those who know what's going on (or rather, what's not going on) in our nation's public schools are growing increasingly dissatisfied with how poorly our students are being educated.
On that link, not one state scored even 50% on the national test. How can a test be considered standard if it fails everyone?
It's a criteria-referenced assessment, not a norm-referenced assessment.
Quote:
Since schools have been held accountable for scores on tests in order to keep funding, the teachers have been forced to teach to the test, at the expense of critical thinking skills and individualized academics.
Why does everyone assume teachers need to teach to the test? Seriously, who thinks that's a good idea? And why? A University of Chicago found exactly the opposite - focusing on test prep in the classroom lowered test scores, but that should be common sense. What does raise test scores? Rigorous instruction in core subjects.
Test prep can't teach what students need :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Commentary (http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/news_docs/8300Test%20prep%20can%5C't%20teach%20what%20studen ts%20need.article.htm - broken link)
Quote:
There is obviously a difference in test questions between national and state tests to have such a discrepancy. When states create their own tests, they may use some different types of questions than the national test has. So teachers are forced to teach to the state test, rather than the national test.
The NAEP is not difficult - see the sample questions, linked above. Anyone with a reasonably good education should be able to do well on the NAEP. And NO ONE should be teaching to ANY test. They SHOULD be teaching a rigorous curriculum.
Good for them. I didn't mention religion although once can certainly learn something from the basic principles espoused by many religions throughout the world.
But that was not the gist of my message. Back to basics. More parent involvement and less government intrusion into schools. Plain and simple. Proven time and time again to work the best.
The common sense approach would also lend itself to the question: Why in the world would any parent NOT want to be involved in their child's education? People need to step up and be involved.
You're right, I agree, parent involvement is extremely important. However, I don't think many parents are actively involved, or maybe consider involvement as paying taxes. Too many parents place the burden of their kids' education on the school system, then blame the system for failure. Of course, no parent will admit to apathy. But getting involved means less time watching ESPN and American Idol.
Why does everyone assume teachers need to teach to the test? Seriously, who thinks that's a good idea? And why? A University of Chicago found exactly the opposite - focusing on test prep in the classroom lowered test scores, but that should be common sense. What does raise test scores? Rigorous instruction in core subjects.
Test prep can't teach what students need :: CHICAGO SUN-TIMES :: Commentary (http://ccsr.uchicago.edu/news_docs/8300Test%20prep%20can%5C%27t%20teach%20what%20stud ents%20need.article.htm - broken link)
The NAEP is not difficult - see the sample questions, linked above. Anyone with a reasonably good education should be able to do well on the NAEP. And NO ONE should be teaching to ANY test. They SHOULD be teaching a rigorous curriculum.
I agree, teachers should not "teach to the test." That article you posted is for the ACT, which it says is designed to not be influenced by test prep. So of course taking time away from teaching and learning hinders those scores. The problem is when tests inadvertently are influenced by test prep. Do you have any studies that include state standardized tests or the NAEP?
Your state may be setting lower scores in the proficient or 'meets or exceeds standards' category than does the NAEP. Illinois, for example, considers a 3rd grader as 'meets standards' in math if they score 29% or more correct on the 3rd grade math test of the ISAT.
Quote:
I agree, teachers should not "teach to the test." That article you posted is for the ACT, which it says is designed to not be influenced by test prep. So of course taking time away from teaching and learning hinders those scores. The problem is when tests inadvertently are influenced by test prep. Do you have any studies that include state standardized tests or the NAEP?
At the moment, I don't. Frankly, I don't think I've ever seen a test for which teaching to the test would be effective, unless the teachers actually had the tests that were going to be given that year and taught the students to memorize the answers.
Originally posted by momonkey
The loony left has an agenda they wish to pursue. The problem they run into is that their crazy ideas don't make sense to an adult. So they push them onto children who don't yet have a mature BS filter. The best way for the loony left to get access to our children is through the PS. They can fill their heads with all sorts of liberal ideas like white Christian heterosexual male bigotry, man-made global warming, war mongering, animal rights, atheism/secular humanism and the like. Since the PS continually fail to teach math, verifiable science, reading, composition, history, etc., they really don't need to spend valuable class time pushing their values onto our children, but somehow they always seem to find time. Then they blame the parents for their own failures. If your mechanic doesn't fix your car correctly you can go to a new mechanic. We don't have that same option with the PS. Unless you're well to do, it's a monopoly. People at the bottom fight for vouchers and are opposed by liberals who want access to our children.
Again, is this a widespread thing in the U.S.? Is this stuff happening in Kansas and Utah? Because I've never seen anything you've described as something widespread. Maybe in San Francisco or the east coast, or other liberal enclaves, but I haven't seen that stuff here in W. Michigan, and I've subbed in a LOT of districts. I've also never been forced to teach or promote something that was against my personal beliefs.
And my school district gave me an excellent, well rounded education that rivaled any private school. Liberal values were not pushed down my throat. Many of the surrounding districts provided a decent education too. While I support parental choice with their kids' education, they have the additional option of getting involved in their district to make the schools better. Sarah Palin did this in her "hockey mom" days, and I applauded her for it. If only more parents were that proactive.
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I think that's why there aren't any rebellious teenagers in the U.S. They're too compliant toward the government. 
