Get Congress Out of the Classroom

NY Times ^ | October 3, 2007 | DIANE RAVITCH

[Tired of Taxes]

I tend to think chosing an objective national test for all schools to use might be a good start for being able to realistically determine educational quality in all schools.

I agree. My concern is with the system of rewarding schools for poor performance.

Interesting that you pointed out how funds are not spent well and are going to administrators in many cases. Years ago, I interviewed a schoolteacher who headed a parents' group and was fighting to improve inner city schools. She told me the same - that most of the funds were going toward benefits for administrators instead of supplies for the kids. She said the students were not given books - only photocopies. Some schools had no toilet paper in the bathrooms. She said the schools were dangerous, not only in terms of drug-dealing and violence, but the buildings themselves were falling apart.

Of course, even when more funds are spent on the students and the school facilities are maintained well, there are problems with drugs and violence, and the suburbs are no exception. This idea of mass education is not the best system. As the comments on this thread indicate, it's difficult (if not downright impossible) to ensure all students reach their maximum potential when one person is expected to teach large groups of students, each one with different needs and learning abilities.

Washington should set national standards (not requirements, just recommendations). But, I don't think it should fund education. I wish the system would undergo a complete overhaul with fresh ideas. I'd like to see it move toward privatization and then eventually into the free market. Then maybe there would be many more options available.