Federal Involvement In Schools Pros And Cons

Federal involvement has had a deep impact in schools. As with all forms of change, the involvement of the federal government has pros and cons. The federal government has been a large influence over how the school system works. Overall, I believe that federal involvement has been positive for schools. One great advantage of having federal involvement is that teachers are held to a standard. The standards that teachers are held at allow organization and stronger learning to occur. This allows teachers to have expectations and meet certain objectives. By meeting objectives student learning is strengthened because there is room to expand on their knowledge. Also, students become critical thinkers when teachers are held to the same standard. When standards are in place it helps teacher and students alike have that goal. Goals are prudent in education because they make us strive to do our best to meet the goal. They drive instruction and allow for higher order thinking. Additionally, the federal government aids the schools by providing funding. The funding is exceptionally crucial because without proper tools it is difficult
for students to learn. Also, teaching equipment can cost a lot of money that many teachers do not have. Therefore, this funding helps teachers to engage and instruct students. However, the downside to the federal involvement is the increasing number of high-stakes testing.
The tests themselves are not cause for concern. The amount of value the federal government place on the tests is the concern. The students know how pertinent the test is for their grade and this stresses students out. Stress is not beneficial to student lifelong learning. If we teach to the test, the students will likely forget the rapid mass of information pushed into them. If we make learning meaningful and align it with the standards, then the tests would not be the horrific nightmare they are for some children. Children have breakdowns about not doing well on the high-stakes tests. Students should not feel this way in school. The classroom should be a comfortable place where learning grows, not a drill practice on facts for a federal
test. In conclusion, I believe that federal involvement is a good thing overall. I believe that setting standards on education allows structure to come into the classroom. Children need structure. I also believe they need meaningful learning experiences. Therefore, the standards allow us to make learning meaningful and teach concepts important to their individual developmental stage. The only downside is how high-stakes testing is the string that comes attached to the standards of teaching. High-stakes testing should be presented or performed in a different way so students do not feel the suffocating stress that it brings.