The education system in America has been under fire for quite some time, with current argument and criticism largely focusing on the controversial issue of standardized testing. Argument over this form of testing is always in constant debate, with seemingly endless lines having been drawn between both supporting and apposing sides of the spectrum. Active viewpoints commonly tend to be either black or white, having no real mediation or common ground to satisfy a solution plausible to each side.
Before I jump into this debate it will be necessary to give a brief history on standardized testing, what it is and how it came about. As part of the research for my topic, I looked at a Frontline article on the PBS website called, "Testing Our Schools." This article, which was produced by John D. Tulenko, documents interviews with educators, policy makers, and test makers in regards to the standardized testing debate. From this, I became informed about the history of standardized testing, which grew its roots when a1983 report titled, "A Nation at Risk," said American schools were, "Drowning in a tide of mediocrity," and threatening the countries economic stability (Testing Our Schools). This increased the American publics attention to the corrosion of education, then in 1989, former President Bush suitably held the first National Education Summit, establishing national education goals. .
A few years later some of the country's important businessmen, such as the famous tycoon Ross Perot, held summits in 1996, 1999, and 2001 that stressed new standards (Testing Our Schools). Recently following in step, President George Bush Jr. signed into effect, "The No Child Left Behind Act," which received large bipartisan support in Washington. This act, among many other things, requires every state to test every student, every year in the third through eight grades, in reading and math (Testing Our Schools).
Reforms across America would take over millions of dollars, including a projected time frame of over 10-15 years to see a change in education reform (Curriculum Reform, 30). ... This denial of a needed education reform set back education reform bills in the senate for years. ... "Center for Education Reform." Internet (Center for Education Reform, Allen). ... Education Reformers. ...
Promote standards-based education reform in states, with a focus on the policy changes needed to produce measurable results. ... The Education Excellence Partnership (EEP) is a group of our nation's leading business, government and education organizations dedicated to creating awareness of the urgency of the need for education reform and to encouraging Americans to take action in their states and communities to improve education. ... Realizing that too few schools were preparing students to meet world standards in core academic subjects and that too many students were graduating unprepare...
Keeping Ryan and Cooper's definition of education in mind, when dealing with education reform we must consider other aspects, such as assessment, technology and character education to name a few, as well as curriculum. ... The reports combined with the nation's failing economy set the stage for education reform. ... Bush, and the state governors adopted a list of goals for education reform (Ryan and Cooper, 456). ... Many advocates for education reform believe there are key elements essential to education reform: a national curriculum, a call for excellence, implementing Cons...
Our own public views of our education system could impact such a change that it might help create the right reform efforts intended to aid the children of the United States. ... One major topic of concern today is education reform of our private school systems not only in New Jersey but throughout the United States. ... These such reform efforts that were stated in the St. ... These are just two areas in the United states that need such great reform efforts to aid these children to grow up with better lives and with a better education. ... According to the Center for Education Re...
In, June of 1993, the Massachusetts Education Reform Act (MERA) was signed into law. It took several years to design and implement the master plan that would take education reform well into the 21st century. ... Education is a service that is provided to each citizen regardless of age, race, religion, or sex. ... Much like a business, the education system has stakeholders. ... Any change to this will have to come through legislation but not to changes in the reform process or testing procedures. ...
Education Reforms: Are they really working? ... Bush took office, parents across the land looked forward to his much-publicized education reforms. ... In an historic milestone of education reform, it was announced that every state, Puerto Rico, and the District of Columbia now have in place new accountability plans outlining how they will achieve the bold goal of making sure no child in America is left behind. ... College reforms are another platform of discussion. ... We can observe that education reforms among American schools are generally working. ...
As John Dewey once said "Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.. ... The increasing rate of failure before tertiary level now reaching nearly 60% caused the ministry of education to take immediate actions resulting in an educational reform. ... The announced reform is to concentrate resources on the most socially handicapped, grouped into 1082 priority education networks. ... An educational reform needs to be a reform in the core of the system and not only a cosmetically change of the surface. ... If a reform needs to be done in a proper manner, it must be mad...
America is faced with a challenge detrimental to the future success of the nation: education reform. ... These differing opinions have attributed to a variety of reform methods. ... Scrutiny over public school systems is attributed to implementation of controversial legislature such as the No Child Left Behind act, reform of teacher education programs and qualification, and reform of the system as a whole. ... With this being said, the education of prospective teachers and the continued education of current teachers should be of the upmost importance to reform advocates. ... According to "...
Overview The care/education dichotomy in early education (birth to 5 years context) has its roots in the late 19C and early 20C. ... National Quality Framework Reforms and their Challanges There are a number of potential challenges that may impact on the timely implementation of the Reform Agenda. ... Conclusion Implementation of the Reform Agenda will be a complex process in a complex environment. Progress will almost certainly be uneven as the reform implementation schedule is over an eight-year period with the final reform due in 2020, and there are variations in readiness across jurisdicti...
