Why "Republicans for education" is a lie.

[loudnclear]

If any of you watched that Focus Group the other night, you know damn well that the last thing Republicans want in this country is a thinking, educated public. That's probably why Bush's funding for "No Child Left Behind" is not making its way out of Congress. Bush can get the kudos for having SAID he wants the program but he has sent the word to Republicans to make sure the funding dies in Congress.

An ignorant public is the Republicans best weapon!

[SoCalDem]

1. Might as well be "Coyotes for chickens"

:)

[ayeshahaqqiqa]

2. They want privitization of schools

so that Big Business can reap in the cash. In places where Big Business has tried to take over schools, they haven't done any better than public schools have. Throwing technology at failing schools doesn't help. Giving parents support from the time their children are born can help tremendously-take a look at Head Start or Success By Six, a Vermont program.

Legislators, the key to helping kids learn starts at home. Parents are the ones who can instill a love for learning and good habits. Unfortunately, many new parents aren't sure how to do this. That is why early intervention programs can help. Then when kids enter schools, they need to be taught by dedicated teachers who understand the importance of building self-esteem and self-confidence. Teachers should be allowed to TEACH in whatever way the student can learn, and not be shackled to a curriculum that isn't working. There should be zero tolerance for bullying and name-calling. Not every child should be forced to take a college track in high school, either (they are proposing this in Arkansas), but should be allowed to explore their options when it comes to their choice of a career.

These ideas don't take a lot of money, and don't rely on a lot of outsiders coming in with expensive stuff, but it can work, if dedicated people, including the parents, are involved.

[PunkinPi]

3. So true,

"Teachers should be allowed to TEACH in whatever way the student can learn, and not be shackled to a curriculum that isn't working."

Not to mention that teachers should NOT be "teaching to a test". Bush's "no child left behind" is a crock. As he is only willing to give aid to schools if the children are able to pass a test. True learning doesn't matter anymore, it's all about the numbers. This has led to corruption within school administrators and teachers by fudging the numbers to get aid.

There was a great discussion about the "no child left behind" initiative on NOW with Bill Moyers last week. Here's the link http://www.pbs.org/now/transcript/transcript238_full.html

[JM]

5. Teaching to the test...

...is another way the RR can take over the schools. The RR has been trying to take over school boards. This is a slow and tedious process. What better way to take over than to bypass the boards, and simply change the testing that has been mandated every year?

Adjusting the testing and goal/objective sets the testing is based on can be done far more easily by the Dept. of Ed, which is controlled by the government, than by taking over individual school boards. Who needs curriculum then?

Later,
JM

[Corgigal]

4. As a parent of a disable child

who has central auditory processing I agree that no republican gives a flip about educating any child. However I can't find a private school that will take him either. While my healthy non disabled kids can be farmed out to private (corporate) schools, my disabled child will be with the kids who parents can't afford a private school or the other disabled children. Society has already written him off. If you look at what Texas did to wash children out of the public education system then you know what I'm talking about.