As I was reading Jimmy's blog on Obama's Education Plan, the question of what the future holds in terms of education came screeching to the front of my mind. Yes, I did vote in the Presidential race and yes, I did research the candidates views on education but what a candidates says in print and does in office can often times be two different things.
Obama and NCLB
He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama and Biden will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them.
Like Jimmy mentions, this isn't too specific. It sounds like what most of us in the education field are thinking, but the question is, how will he address the issues and change the current legislation. We all know that 100% of students meeting or exceeding by 2014 is an unattainable goal. How will President Obama change NCLB?
Obama and Teacher retention
Jimmy points out more good points in this section. Why aren't more people going into the teaching field? Bottom line...Money! The starting pay for teachers can be very pathetic depending on the school district. When I decided in high school that I wanted to go into teaching, I actually had a teacher of mine ask why I would want to go into education. She said I was a smart and talented person and I could do anything I want. She talked about how the pay was low and the hours of commitment where high. Why would an educator discourage someone from teaching? Instead there should be incentives and rewards for educators. Yes, doctors and lawyers make lots of money, but where did they get their start? It came from a teacher who taught them how to seek knowledge and how to love learning. Don't we want our brightest and best teaching the future generations? Will President Obama be able to push incentives and initiatives that will encourage more to become teachers?
Ok...enough rambling. If I knew the future held, I would be a very wealthy woman. It will be very interesting to see what education will look like in 4 years...and maybe even 8 years.
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Great analysis and response to Jimmy’s post. The current benchmarks are a little out of whack especially when you consider that the starting line is far from equal. As long as schools continue to show improvement, I believe we are heading in the right direction. Despite its faults NCLB has showcased that our education system is not working in its current state. Subgroups of students are being left behind whether we want to admit it or not. Hopefully, Obama will surround himself with some of the brightest and most experienced minds allowing teachers to have the resources (and hopefully eliminate all of the unnecessary paperwork that is suffocating) to help us be successful.
I am struck by the comment you posted from a previous teacher. Like yourself, I was asked repeatedly, especially by my mom, questioned and badgered over why I would ever want to become a teacher. Afterall, they would remind me that I could be an engineer, doctor, lawyer, or anything else that could provide heaps of easy money… okay maybe not easy money. In the end, the comment that ended their questioning… Who would you rather teach your child, a teacher who could have been a doctor, engineer, lawyer or someone else? Until teachers receive true compensation for their efforts, the profession will be filled with those who do it for the love of their job and a small number who want summers off.
Brian
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