What Is the Best Way to Educate Our Children
What Is The Best Way to Educate Our Children?
Western Governors University
Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving
Janie Davis
What Is The Best Way to Educate Our Children?
Education has been in a crisis for a long time in America, but few can agree on a solution to this open-ended problem which debated by both experts and lay persons. Federal and state policies need creation and enactment for targeted assistance to schools needing improvements, like low-income schools and public schools that are failing to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) goals. Students deserve the best education possible, but there are many complicating factors. One factor is formulating challenging state academic content standards which specify what children are expected to know and then formulating coherent and rigorous curriculum to enable students to meet these standards. Another factor is the role of highly-qualified teachers who know the material and how to convey it to make a difference in student achievement, and whether computer, the internet, and technology should be a part of their teaching methods. Still, another factor is choosing the best method for teaching English language proficiency to immigrant students. There are numerous assumptions applying to the issues. For instance, it is assumed that all children can meet the same rigorous academic achievement standards of the NCLB act in the same arbitrary timeline and that boosting standardized test scores should be the primary goal of schools. It is also assumed that bilingual education is harmful or that it is helpful. In addition, some assume that computers and technology are harmful to education, while others believe they are helpful and critically needed. Some uncertainties that may prevent a perfect solution are the differing conclusions of authors and their contradictory evidence, as in the case of the effectiveness of bilingual education. In addition, hidden factors can militate against
Western Governors University
Collegiate Level Reasoning and Problem Solving
Janie Davis
What Is The Best Way to Educate Our Children?
Education has been in a crisis for a long time in America, but few can agree on a solution to this open-ended problem which debated by both experts and lay persons. Federal and state policies need creation and enactment for targeted assistance to schools needing improvements, like low-income schools and public schools that are failing to meet the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) goals. Students deserve the best education possible, but there are many complicating factors. One factor is formulating challenging state academic content standards which specify what children are expected to know and then formulating coherent and rigorous curriculum to enable students to meet these standards. Another factor is the role of highly-qualified teachers who know the material and how to convey it to make a difference in student achievement, and whether computer, the internet, and technology should be a part of their teaching methods. Still, another factor is choosing the best method for teaching English language proficiency to immigrant students. There are numerous assumptions applying to the issues. For instance, it is assumed that all children can meet the same rigorous academic achievement standards of the NCLB act in the same arbitrary timeline and that boosting standardized test scores should be the primary goal of schools. It is also assumed that bilingual education is harmful or that it is helpful. In addition, some assume that computers and technology are harmful to education, while others believe they are helpful and critically needed. Some uncertainties that may prevent a perfect solution are the differing conclusions of authors and their contradictory evidence, as in the case of the effectiveness of bilingual education. In addition, hidden factors can militate against
References: Armstrong, A. & Casement, C. (2003). Computer-assisted education may not enhance learning Greenhaven Press. Retrieved on August 7, 2006 from <http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC> Chavez, L. (2000). Bilingual education is a failure. In M.E. Williams (ed.). Education: Opposing viewpoinst series Opposing viewpoints series. Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 8, 2006 from http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC Himmelfarb, G. (1998). The information revolution may not improve education. In P.A. Winters (Ed.) September 10, 2006 from http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC Irving, L Egendorf (Ed.). Opposing viewpoints series. Greenhaven Press. Retrieved September 8, 2006 from http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC Mintz, J. (2000, April 21). Washington Post. Retrieved July 12, 2006 from http://massparents.org Neill, M. (2005). The No Child Left Behind Act is not improving education. In M.E. Williams (Ed.) Retrieved on September 10, 2006 from http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC Riley, R.W. (1997). Computer education is vital for students of the future. In P.A. Sunderman, G.L., & Kim, J. (2004). Expansion of federal power in American education: Federal-state relationships under the No Child Left Behind Act, Year one. Cambridge, MA: The Civil Rights Project at Harvard University. Retrieved July 14, 2006 from http://www.civilrightsproject.harvard.edu. Williams, M.E. (Ed.). (2005). Introduction to education. Education: Opposing viewpoints series. Greenhaven Press, 2005. Retrieved July 14, 2006 from http://galenet.galegroup.com/servlet/OVRC.