question on CSPAN about "Constitution Day"

[salin]

law passed requiring schools that accept Fed Money must do something to teach about the constitution on Sept 17., (or Sept 16 this year since the day is on the weekend), Is it Constitutional?

Not one caller has raised the constitutional question of who is given authority over education in the constitution? (answer: states) This is why any law by congress (eg NCLB) is tied to schools that receive federal money. Note that fed money is not a primary funding stream to public schools - it comes from "categorical funds" - that is special ed funds, funds for Title 1 (high poverty - extra instruction), funds for free and reduced lunch, etc.

It is an interesting question (more teaching of the constitution, is needed, imo) - but also interesting that no caller has raised the point from the constitution itself - in the sense of who has authority to dictate/control content and other aspects of schools.

[Skidmore]

1. Actually I heard one caller bring up those points.

The question that prompts from me is does that make NCLB in violation of the Constitution? Is testing only required in schools taking federal funds and not private schools?

[salin]

3. Yes to your second question, and I believe yes to the first

but not due to the testing (they get around that by having states create and administer their own tests - thereby dictating at the state level the curriculum) - but due to requirements of a level of teacher credentialling/staffing... by next year all schools must only have subject area teachers who are "highly qualified" (specified by the govt) to teach each class - this gets difficult for small schools that might have a math/science teacher who has taught successfully for 20 years - but whose primary training is in science either have to hire a second teacher for the math - or demote the science teacher to a part time position and hire a part time math teacher. Suddenly the federal legislation is interfering with staffing requirements at schools that could cost far more than the $ recieved by a school for the categorical programs.

I missed the caller - am glad someone raised the question of the Constitution and power given to education on a question about "Constitution Day."

[doni_georgia]

2. I raised that question with our county Social Studies coordinator

I am the social studies chair person at my school. We are on fall break this week, so Monday is the day we have to devout all day to the Constitution - including being required to have a program on the Constitution. I teach in a PK-5 school. The Constitution is studied in 4th and 5th grades as part of the US history course. It is part of the state curriculum. For me as a fourth grade teacher, I teach US history from ancient Americas to the Civil War. We study the Constitution in a historical context when we get to that point in US history - February. 5th grade starts the year with American government and a study of the balance of power, checks and balances. This year, our principal put the counselors in charge of Constitution day, since they are in charge of character ed. Seems she didn't like my questioning if the federal government had the right to override the state curriculum.

[acmejack]

4. Don't forget Federal Impact funds

A big source of revenue for school districts with a military installation. A big hit when the BRAC takes away their military bases too.

[nonconformist]

5. My children's school sent home a note yesterday about this

Just that today is "Constitution Day". I didn't know that they were forced to do it in exchange for funding.

But I'm with you - I think there needs to be more teaching of the constitution anyway.