How Do You Feel About Arne Duncan/President Obama's Education Policy?

[Dinger]

On a scale of 1-10, with 1 being "worthless," and 10 being "perfect."

*Posted this in the Ed Forum as well.

[Starry Messenger]

1. 1

It is based on faddish "research" and heavily tilted towards corporate "solutions" to a manufactured crisis. I didn't vote for Bill Gates.

[SunsetDreams]

2. If I am honest, there is not enough data yet to evaluate.

I can't pick one, without getting into assumptions.

[sandnsea]

4. Here is the Blueprint

It hasn't even begun to be implemented yet. I don't see how teachers can say anything about an education system that doesn't even exist.

http://www2.ed.gov/policy/elsec/leg/blueprint/blueprint.pdf

[SunsetDreams]

5. Thank you sandsea,

going to read it :)

[MannyGoldstein]

7. That's precisely the problem!

Why experiment when there are things that.are known to work? Makes no sense, except to try on a small scale - it may well make things worse!

[SunsetDreams]

8. Manny, what things

are you referring to that are known to work? You are right, it may make things worse, who knows? It may also make things better. There just isn't enough data to know yet, either way.

[MannyGoldstein]

10. here

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=219&topic_id=26840&mesg_id=26842

[SunsetDreams]

11. So what things in the

Massachussetts Model, are you referring to? That link doesn't say it specifically, just mentions it. Maybe you meant to link me to another post?:)

[MannyGoldstein]

12. I'd be guessing

The point is that we have examples of things that work superbly - is it anything other than reckless to force something untested on the entire country, rather than replicating what works?

Evidence, not guesses.

[SunsetDreams]

13. It's hard to tell,

would one state model, that works for that state, work for the whole country? I just don't know, it seems to me there would have to be adaptations and adjustments depending on the state. I imagine it will be the same with this policy.

I just don't know what the answer is here. I so admire what teachers do every day in the classroom, my hats are off to them. We have to do something about our test scores, and retention of knowledge, so that our children are better prepared for the future. IMO, we need to push for reduced class sizes, so that the burden on teachers is reduced, and the opportunity for a one on one environment, can be utilized more. Based on class size, teachers, unfortunately do not have the time to sit down with students one on one, when they are falling behind. This doesn't just rely on teachers, it should begin in the home, as well. Some parents today, don't give a rats behind about how their kids are doing in school, only that they get them out of their hair for a little while.

[MannyGoldstein]

14. Substitute "abstinence-based sex education" for "race to the top"

Why was the latter a worse thing to try than is the former? Both were unproven, to be charitable.

These things should be piloted starting with spreading best practices that lead to best outcomes. The Duncan-Obama plan is just a guess. Guesses can sometimes lead to great things, but even the smartest people's guesses are usually wrong.

[Sebastian Doyle]

15. Ironic, isn't it?

We can copy Massachusetts' failed "health care" system, but not their educational system that actually works? :shrug:

[Hawkowl]

3. Harmful is actually worse than worthless

You probably should have included a category that is worse than worthless.

[EFerrari]

6. That's right. Attacking a group of stake holders is not the way to reform anything.

Arne Duncan needs to go back to school and learn how to be a leader.

[Dappleganger]

9. I will always vote with the teachers' unions.

[Bluebear]

16. The polls always show DU's temperature, over the propaganda, yes?

[Starry Messenger]

17. kick.

[MadHound]

18. Worse than worthless, it is an attack on teachers, public education,

And at least one entire generation of students who will suffer because of their policies.

Frankly, at this point it is against the self interest of teachers to vote for this administration again.