http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsVimwm6xQ4&NR=1
Above is a link in which Barack Obama describes the fundamental changes he would make to the No Child Left Behind act. His reform would take place on the grounds that inadequate assessment tools are being used to measure progress. He also states that teachers did not have enough ownership in making this reform which in turn, has created a lot of resentment for the bill. One can hear his liberal ideologies coming through as he discusses the unequal starting grounds of schools, the uneven movement towards educational goals, and his disapproval of the status quo. T&C would agree with the concept of using teachers to help write such bills, and also discuss the resentment which has occurred when they were not a part of the process. Reform, as discussed in Tinkering Towards Utopia, is often made without the allocation of additional resources to help meet the policy changes. Obama confirms this statement claiming that not enough resources have been given to reach the NCLB act goals. T&C also discuss how reform changes shape between the conceptual motives and practice outcomes. (Mississippi lowering its standards) I agree with Obama and feel that the NCLB act should be reformed at its most basic levels. Teachers must be involved in the writing of these acts, and resources should be provided to meet new standards.
2 comments:
Thank you for posting this link. Its amazing how relevant this interview is to what we have been discussing in class. I agree with you that Obama is spot on with the liberal perspective on education. I especially enjoyed the non-radical statement that, "they [students] may not get to the same point at the same time."
An excellent post. It ties in our class discussion, reading, and current events in a nice way.
Would it be possible for a prominent politician to espouse a radical perspective on education? Do you feel as if Obama's views are influenced by that perspective at all?
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