Government includes the following entities:
Elected public officials- All levels -- local, state, and federal
- All branches -- legislative, executive, and judicial
- Law enforcement agencies
- Local police and fire fighters
- Lawmakers
- Politicians
Our government system in America is unlike any other. Under its doctrines, we have freedoms and rights others in the international community envy and that are taken for granted. However, our government has its flaws. These flaws are fostered by political influences from powerful interests and the ruling political party. In addition, they are fueled by money, greed, and power. Isn't the government for the people by the people? Why are the needs of the people absent from the equation?
Regarding education, each state has the constitutional right to oversee and support its local school districts. The federal government limited their presence in education-related issues, until in the 1980's. With the release of A Nation At Risk in 1983 and the TIMSS studies, federal intrusion in education has increase significantly over the years. Currently, the federal legislation for education is the No Child Left Behind [NCLB] Act of 2001; while it is currently under reauthorization, the present administration has developed its own education agenda via A Blueprint for Reform. While the public have embraced its intervention, many educators have criticized the mandates and provisions in the federal law. While there is ongoing debate during the reauthorizing process, one of my graduate professors recently reminded our class of the significance of NCLB: Prior to its enactment, there were no law or policy in place that held schools accountable for student performance, ensured all public school teachers to be highly-qualified, allowed parents to choose a school of their choice, and provide public access to school data. Despite its good intentions, the federal law is seriously flawed and suggested modifications are being met with praise by most of the public and dissent by many in the education field.
Prior to the current economic downtown, states were struggling to meet the NCLB mandates. Nevertheless, most states comply due to money ties; many of them have been guilty of engaging in unethical behavior to ensure federal funding. Even with the most recent Race To The Top competition, states have bowed to the will of the federal government to win additional money. In return, state winners agree to adhere to the federal education agenda. Why are only a few states, like Texas and Utah, are showing some backbone and decided not to give into the feds so easily? I mean, even in my current state of Georgia, state politicians are flip-flopping positions behind this money.
If the state government are weak enough to give in, more then like its school districts will follow suit. While it is understandable that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across the state do not want to go against state laws and policies, it is the local constituents who will be affected by these laws and policies the most. Within state and federal legal parameters, most states give LEAs more freedom to do what need to be done to educate the children in their districts. Like at the state level, LEAs are riddled with corruption and unequal distribution of funding.
Nevertheless, as I stated in an earlier blog entry, this is my personal stance involving government involvement in education:
Unfortunately, NCLB isn't going anyway anytime soon. It has become the norm. However, the government is accountable to the people, and when people mobilize during election, oh buddy!
Regarding education, each state has the constitutional right to oversee and support its local school districts. The federal government limited their presence in education-related issues, until in the 1980's. With the release of A Nation At Risk in 1983 and the TIMSS studies, federal intrusion in education has increase significantly over the years. Currently, the federal legislation for education is the No Child Left Behind [NCLB] Act of 2001; while it is currently under reauthorization, the present administration has developed its own education agenda via A Blueprint for Reform. While the public have embraced its intervention, many educators have criticized the mandates and provisions in the federal law. While there is ongoing debate during the reauthorizing process, one of my graduate professors recently reminded our class of the significance of NCLB: Prior to its enactment, there were no law or policy in place that held schools accountable for student performance, ensured all public school teachers to be highly-qualified, allowed parents to choose a school of their choice, and provide public access to school data. Despite its good intentions, the federal law is seriously flawed and suggested modifications are being met with praise by most of the public and dissent by many in the education field. Prior to the current economic downtown, states were struggling to meet the NCLB mandates. Nevertheless, most states comply due to money ties; many of them have been guilty of engaging in unethical behavior to ensure federal funding. Even with the most recent Race To The Top competition, states have bowed to the will of the federal government to win additional money. In return, state winners agree to adhere to the federal education agenda. Why are only a few states, like Texas and Utah, are showing some backbone and decided not to give into the feds so easily? I mean, even in my current state of Georgia, state politicians are flip-flopping positions behind this money.
If the state government are weak enough to give in, more then like its school districts will follow suit. While it is understandable that Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across the state do not want to go against state laws and policies, it is the local constituents who will be affected by these laws and policies the most. Within state and federal legal parameters, most states give LEAs more freedom to do what need to be done to educate the children in their districts. Like at the state level, LEAs are riddled with corruption and unequal distribution of funding.
Nevertheless, as I stated in an earlier blog entry, this is my personal stance involving government involvement in education:
Yes, the education system in American as a whole is broken and need to be fixed. However, it should be fixed from the bottom up, not the top down. Locally, all school stakeholders should come together and make a concerted effort to transform our schools and to improve student achievement. As constitutionally overseers of education, each state should support its own school districts and their local efforts. Federal intervention should be limited at best.
Unfortunately, NCLB isn't going anyway anytime soon. It has become the norm. However, the government is accountable to the people, and when people mobilize during election, oh buddy!
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