Bush Wants Schools to Progress in Science

[deadparrot]

WASHINGTON - President Bush, quietly floating a plan with big implications, wants schools to face consequences for falling short in science, just as they do in reading and math.

The president's proposal would require schools to make yearly progress in science, adding a third high-stakes subject to a No Child Left Behind law that has thousands of schools scrambling to meet federal goals.

Congressional leaders say they are willing to consider Bush's idea when the law comes up for renewal next year, but that's as far as they will commit.

Science already is part of the law. Starting in the 2007-08 school year, states are required to test students' science knowledge at least once in elementary, middle and high school. But nothing in the law requires holds schools accountable for science scores.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060329/ap_on_go_pr_wh/bush_science

[skooooo]

1. What a joke.

[hippiechick]

2. Science according to the scientists, or science according to the fundies?

Jus' checkin' .... :shrug:

[Ishoutandscream2]

3. What kind of science are you reaaaaly talking about, Boy King?

Bush and science, two words that absolutely don't go together.

[saigon68]

5. He is trying to think today

It's difficult for him--- but he is trying





NOTICE THE CURIOSITY AND BRIGHTNESS FROM HIS EYES

AS HE HAS A THOUGHT ABOUT A FEW BANANAS

[shenmue]

4. When is *he* going to face consequences for falling behind?

Can Yale take back a degree?

[0007]

19. ...if that were to happen they'd have to fork over bags of money

to daddy bush. Yale does not take back degrees or give back money.

[Bozita]

6. creationism, intelligent design, fuzzy math: the building blocks of Bushco

... science.

[sakabatou]

7. What an asshat

[HippieCowgirl]

8. Only government-vetted and approved science!

If Our Leader says that it's science, it will be taught. But those others, those controversial independent researchers and those just-a-theories developed using the scientific process are all questionable and are really junk science. Schools shouldn't teach that stuff.


:sarcasm:

[Ganja Ninja]

9. I want Bush to face the consequences for falling short ...

on everything.
When will this guy resign already? It's just jaw dropping how irony deficient the man is. He constantly makes you stop and double take. You put your fingers in your ears and wiggle them to see if they're working, then rub your eyes and blink hard in disbelief at his ignorance.

[Imperialism Inc.]

10. How about letting the government progress in science.

I mean this is the administration that alters eports because it doesn't like the conclusions the data leads to, right?

[kestrel91316]

28. You mean you're not a follower of Comrade Lysenko??? For shame.

[NewJeffCT]

11. Remember, what Bush says...

is really the opposite of what he means.
No child left behind really means to leave all poor & middle class children behind. Or, leave no rich kid behind.

[kineneb]

14. so, the translation of his statement is...

"Who gives a s*** about science. My base does not understand it and neither do I."

[DanCa]

12. Waitaminute what about global warming and evolution? (nt)

[Canuckistanian]

13. Why, so they can be silenced after graduation?

This makes no sense. Bushco's assault on science is well-documented.

And Koresh help them if students want to go into biological science - they'll have to take (gasp!) evolution classes!

[ozymandius]

15. Does he propose a course in leeches, maybe proper bleeding technique?

After all, we are not talking about anyone being held accountable for their progress.

[Selteri]

16. Of course he wants kids educated...

After all, they can't vote for him but they can bring him support from their parents...

too bad he's anti-education, anti-intellectualism, anti-human, anti-freedom....

[Lone_Star_Dem]

17. This is rich, now bush wants to add science to his NCLB

How are they going to catch up after being forced to cut back on teaching science to meet math and reading test scores for the past 5 years? Answer: They can't. This will just created a new way to punish lower socio-economic school districts.


From NYT article - Schools Cut Back Subjects to Push Reading and Math
The intense focus on the two basic skills (math and reading) is a sea change in American instructional practice, with many schools that once offered rich curriculums now systematically trimming courses like social studies, science and art. A nationwide survey by a nonpartisan group that is to be made public on March 28 indicates that the practice, known as narrowing the curriculum, has become standard procedure in many communities.
http://www.nytimes.com/2006/03/26/education/26child.html?ex=1301029200&en=2ac2867806003319&ei=5090&partner=rssuserland&emc=rss

LBN thread on the topic
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=2188601&mesg_id=2188601

[Bozita]

18. I don't think Bushco wants those two stories to intersect

Good post!

[Lone_Star_Dem]

21. They're play three card monty

It's the old a slight of hand and a distraction trick to keep people confused as to what is really taking place.

[pinniped]

20. Just don't go around thinking too much.

You might be labeled a heretic and get burned at the stake.

[Virginia Dare]

22. Once again, I just have to scratch my head and say...

:wtf:

[Tanuki]

23. He can start

by publicly retracting his blindingly ignorant statement that "the jury is still out" on the question of evolution vs. intelligent design.

[alarcojon]

26. Amen to that

I was just about to say it. If the pretzeldent really wants our kids to learn science, what about standing behind the central theory of biology? He might even bring a couple of knuckle-draggers along with him.

[Charlie Brown]

24. that's why he supports teaching intelligent design

and I guess six-day creationism as well, judging from his words.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/8792302

During a round-table interview with reporters from five Texas newspapers, Bush declined to go into detail on his personal views of the origin of life. But he said students should learn about both theories, Knight Ridder Newspapers reported.

“I think that part of education is to expose people to different schools of thought,” Bush said. “You’re asking me whether or not people ought to be exposed to different ideas, the answer is yes.”

[ashling]

25. progress in science by intelligent design?

This maladministration should face consequences for falling short in sciences

[goforit]

27. Via his intelligent design.

[antonialee839]

29. Well, he is the education president, as he tries to convince us

ad nauseam. I just don't know what kind of education he thinks he's the president of.

[musical_soul]

30. Hmmmmm.

Does that mean Bush will support evolution education and not that creasion junk science?