Global Test Scores

[Col Forbin]

Well whats the answer? More gubment? Less? Is that even the problem? I have learned that it's not just one thing from talking to my sister who is a teacher. Just wondering what you all think? Mr Col Forbin what say you?

Please, don't make me admit this. But honestly, I think for the most part - LESS. There has to be some level of accountability for school perfromance - but we have gotten to the point where that accountability (in the form of state and NCLB assessments) completely drives everything we do. It has gotten to the point that in order for a public school to be successful, we must all do the exact same thing, teach the exact same thing - and now with state and federal push for consistent instruction - teach the exact same way. Because of all the governmental regulations and standards (state and federal level), we are now forced to teach kids how to do well on tests, rather than how it should be... to TEACH KIDS. The curriculum is now centered solely around those assessments - which don't really apply to everyone. If you are a student that is planning on going to college, then it is a good system. However, only about 60% of high school graduates go on to college, and not all of them are successful in college. So basically we have created a standards based curriculum, driven by state assessments geared towards a college prep curriculum that only applies to a little more than half of the students in high school settings.

On the other hand, I think given the hands we are dealt as teachers, and the students we serve - for the most part we have a pretty good educational system. When compared to the rest of the world based strictly on statistics - we will never appear to be among the top countries. We are one of the few countries that require attendance to public schools. Even more, we are required to educate everyone, which is a good thing for the most part. It doesn't matter if you have a disability or not, if you speak english or not, if you have a criminal record or not, or if you want to be there or not - everyone is legally required to attend schools - at least until the age of 16. I said for the most part it is a good thing. The US is the leading country for providing students with disabilities an adequate and meaninful education (many of the "best" countries according to that report do not even offer that on a public level). Also, Many of these other countries that appear to be in the top for educational statistics and performance start dividing students as early as late elementary age into educational settings, and trade settings. So basically if we only included that 60% of students that choose to further their education after high school into our global educational statistics, the US would be in the top 5.