By Larry Fennelly
The Macon Telegraph
Georgia’s current struggle to improve the quality of the state’s educational system is nothing new. Back in the 1960s the state’s political leadership realized that increasing the educational levels of the citizenry would be essential if Georgia were to prosper in the modern world. The number of public colleges was expanded so that most of the populace would have at least a two-year college within commuting distance.
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Under this law, teachers can't TEACH and students can't LEARN. Students have to pass state tests in order for schools to get MONEY, so schools go to GREAT LENGTHS to make sure they get that money.
Teachers can't teach what THEY want to teach anymore. They have to teach waht the gov't tells them to teach. They teach students HOW to take the tests. The students take PRACTICE tests all during the year. Teachers can only teach what is ON THESE TESTS. They call it 'teaching to the test'. I call it 'teaching the test' which is CHEATING and what they do not want their students to do, but they do it themselves all year long. It's ALL they do. This is not the teachers fault, however, they are mandated by the gov't to do this.
Just look in any of the school books for 'test taking strategies'. This is NOT for the students usual tests they take. This is for the STATE testing. Notice that most school books have an edition for each state. GEORGIA is written on the cover of the books here.
The reason for all this is because the books are specifically written for the kids to PASS these tests so the schools can GET MORE MONEY.
If you search the internet, you can find articles from college leaders stating that public school students are woefully lacking in knowledge, skills, etc to be able to participate sucessfully at college level.
Recently in Texas, a student who was the VALEDICTORIAN had to drop out of college because the material was too hard to learn.
HOMESCHOOL!!Some people don't like it, but public education is BETTER?!?!?!?
There are articles from college leaders stating that homeschoolers are MUCH better prepared for college and some colleges are actively seeking out homeschool graduates.
I wonder how many parents kept their children home this year because the children just did not want to go? How many parents here do not even have books in their homes? How many parents get cell phones for their kids but cannot buy them educational materials? How many parents pay for cable and satellite service but cannot or will not take their children to the library? The NCLB Act should certainly fall under suspicion, but at the same time, parents have the biggest influence in their children's educational success. If the parents value education, so too will the children.
1. Funding follows the child. The funding may leave the school or the public education system all together, but so does the child who is incurring the expenses. Wanting to keep the funding once the child has left is simply wanting an increase in funding, which is understandable and brings me to my next point.
2. Legislators cut education funding primarily because when we come to a serious budget shortfall, it is simply one of the few things to cut and make a difference. Spending on education and health care take up a huge majority of state expenditures. So, education does take big hits at times but you have to keep in mind that it is also the biggest piece of the state budget pie.
Also, research has shown that simply increasing spending on education does not fix the problem. Over the years education funding per child has actually increased while statistics like graduation rates have continued to fall.
I objected to blaming vouchers because I think they are a worthwhile reform. Some who take voucher funding will go to private school, but not all will because some public schools are very good. Vouchers do not necessarily take away from public education, they ultimately ensure that funding is going to the schools that do best. If parents or children want to take their share of public money designated for education to another public school and avoid the hassle of moving to another side of town or another district, who are we to stop them. A voucher reform also benefits the people in the worst situations. In the current system only the affluent or fortunate get to decide where there kids will be educated. Under a voucher system, everyone, even the poor, has at least a little more input in their kid's education. That is the point of vouchers, it is a reform that empowers individuals to make decisions for themselves and promotes productive competition in a system that many view as stagnant and failing. I personally came from that system and benefited from many amazing teachers and administrators at the local public schools, and I am grateful. However, there is always room for improvement, especially with something as important as educating children.