Education Reforms

Recently, many Education Reforms have been taking place in different states. After NCLB’s attempt to raise standards by requiring more testing many legislatures are now heading in the opposite direction. Lawmakers have been looking into reducing the amount of standardized tests that are required to graduate from high school. Some states will have new graduation requirements that do not require that students take four years of math science, social studies and English. Students will have more time for “technical training” leading to high-paying industrial jobs.

Of course like any current issue in our Nation there are those who favor the change and those who entirely oppose it. Some say the change will be great because it will reduce the amount of high-school dropouts caused by the great amount of students who do poorly in the standardized exams. It will also help students be better prepared to join the workforce without needing to graduate from a four year college that come along with a lot of debt. Others however are not in favor of the change and believe there should be more time and thought put into it before making a decision. Many believe the proposed curriculum changes will create mediocrity. They do favor a change, but fear that schools will shift from testing to not testing at all while many school districts will only offer enough courses to meet the new minimum requirements.

In Texas, the House has approved 145-2, HB 5 that allows students to graduate with out having to take Algebra II or other advanced math and science classes. The number of high-school standardized test in core subjects has been reduced to five from the original fifteen tests that were required. I’m sure students will be pleased to know about this, but I also fear that Texas may be moving a bit too fast with its changes. Washington class of 2015 currently requires students to pass five high school exit exams. North Carolina has minimized the number of tests along with the number of days that students spend taking them. Oklahoma worries after finding that many of their students do not graduate because of their scores on the states high school exit exam.

As a future teacher I am glad to hear that there are reforms going on although it does worry me a bit. I do believe a change is needed regarding existing testing policies. However, I do not believe that nearly eliminating testing is the solution. Every school should aim to have high standards, but not every standard should be required to graduate. Legislatures need to be careful not to head in a complete opposite direction that may not have the outcome desired. It’s true that there are probably many students who do better in life without even attending college, but there are also many who would do better in life if they did attend college. Every student in high school has a distinct and unique future. We should encourage to continue with there education, but at the same time we should offer them real life standards that will help them experience their future life in the best possible manner. 

Response to "Paying for School"

Politically Incorrect's Commentary

I can really see your disagreement on the way school funding is distributed. I am not so clear though if you believe that the Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) should change their policies or whether individual colleges and universities should provide more scholarship opportunities for honor students. I think that the governments FAFSA funding may not be distributed in the greatest manner, but I do think it’s reaching out to many students who truly want an education though cannot afford one.

Government should work on academically raising the bar higher for those wanting to receive financial aid. Currently they have a required minimum of a 2.0 GPA (which is extremely low). There is also a minimum of hours that the student must be enrolled and they have a maximum time frame pointing out a time in which the student should finish his or her degree.  Raising the bar may reduce the amount of money distributed to students who honestly do just take advantage of the system. Government should also expand their funding to reach middle class students who much like yourself and I seem to have “too much money” when in reality we do not and truly do need financial aid.

Like I said, our Government may not have the greatest system to distribute financial aid, but they do reach many who use the money wisely for their education. I agree with you as you state that those who have shown, time and time again, that they can excel, truly deserve the money. My personal opinion is that there should be more scholarship opportunities available with much higher standards than those that government aid sets. This will allow honor students to receive financial aid based upon their excellence level in school. We all deserve education regardless of how well we do in school, but it would be great if more financial rewards were available for those who move above and beyond standard expectations.