Mr. Heim-The letter writer's topic was Common Core. For whatever reason, you brought up the No Child Left Behind Act, which is really apples and oranges to this topic. I assume you brought it up to ridicule Republicans. While it's true that NCLB was initiated by, and signed by, GWB, it was essentially an extension/ revision of LBJ's Elementary Secondary Education Act where some pretty sweeping education reforms were first enacted within his "Great Society" policies. To quote your earlier assessment, those reforms are also "working great."
Public schools have a long tradition of local control, and that control is being eroded. I assume that this tradition initially derived from communities believing that schools were vital and central to promoting shared beliefs and values. Funding for schools was derived from town, county, and state taxes. Federal money has subsequently crept into the funding equations, and school systems have become dependent on federal dollars. Acceptance of federal money comes with federal regulations, which aren't necessarily as evil as some may suggest, but they have in effect turned countless teachers into bureaucrats and "educrats," and spawned bloated administrative apparatuses at central offices across the nation. If localized control is removed, at what level will citizens have input? True, many skills and concepts learned in schools are ubiquitous and not dependent on where a student resides. And no sensible person would argue that schools should not improve or try to raise student achievement, however, relinquishing the hegemony of our schools seems a drastic step. I definitely tend to be wary of too much centralized power. Lastly, Mr. Heim, No Child Left Behind was about proficiency standards; it was not a restructuring of the entire curriculum across all grade levels which is what the CC is.
While I can't say I agree with all of the writer's assertions regarding eugenics and other political agendas, she is spot-on about the monetary aspects of CC and Race to the Top funding. Having a nationalized curriculum must be a dream come true for the big-time publishers out there as they can now peddle their revised one-size-fits-all wares across the nation, no longer having the need to tailor their products to specific states. The really big money is in the accountability model; the test-makers stand to profit nicely from this curriculum overhaul. One monster-sized company in particular has been a driving force in the CC adoption movement and will be the biggest beneficiary of the new curriculum and accountability models. Ms. Dougherty, I'm with you: it is all about the money.
@Guy F
The letter writer said the 37k was just for the hospital bill. Surgeon fees will surely increase the final cost. At what price point would you think it is legitimate to complain about the bill?
Referring to Santa Ana's fluctuating popularity, Paul Harvey told a story about the
general, stating that he was probably the only person in history whose leg received a
more splendid funeral than he himself did years later.
I don't know Mr. Levy, but I have read several editorials for this paper. His recent one about class size and school finance seemed particularly knowledgeable. Oldpilot, your comments about Mr. Levy are offensive and in my opinion quite immature. For you to be so insulting, while safely cloaked in anonymity, speaks more loudly about your own character.
citizen 2 weeks ago
Common Core Is All About Money
Mr. Heim-The letter writer's topic was Common Core. For whatever reason, you brought up the No Child Left Behind Act, which is really apples and oranges to this topic. I assume you brought it up to ridicule Republicans. While it's true that NCLB was initiated by, and signed by, GWB, it was essentially an extension/ revision of LBJ's Elementary Secondary Education Act where some pretty sweeping education reforms were first enacted within his "Great Society" policies. To quote your earlier assessment, those reforms are also "working great."
citizen 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Common Core Is All About Money
Public schools have a long tradition of local control, and that control is being eroded. I assume that this tradition initially derived from communities believing that schools were vital and central to promoting shared beliefs and values. Funding for schools was derived from town, county, and state taxes. Federal money has subsequently crept into the funding equations, and school systems have become dependent on federal dollars. Acceptance of federal money comes with federal regulations, which aren't necessarily as evil as some may suggest, but they have in effect turned countless teachers into bureaucrats and "educrats," and spawned bloated administrative apparatuses at central offices across the nation. If localized control is removed, at what level will citizens have input? True, many skills and concepts learned in schools are ubiquitous and not dependent on where a student resides. And no sensible person would argue that schools should not improve or try to raise student achievement, however, relinquishing the hegemony of our schools seems a drastic step. I definitely tend to be wary of too much centralized power. Lastly, Mr. Heim, No Child Left Behind was about proficiency standards; it was not a restructuring of the entire curriculum across all grade levels which is what the CC is.
citizen 2 weeks, 1 day ago
Common Core Is All About Money
While I can't say I agree with all of the writer's assertions regarding eugenics and other political agendas, she is spot-on about the monetary aspects of CC and Race to the Top funding. Having a nationalized curriculum must be a dream come true for the big-time publishers out there as they can now peddle their revised one-size-fits-all wares across the nation, no longer having the need to tailor their products to specific states. The really big money is in the accountability model; the test-makers stand to profit nicely from this curriculum overhaul. One monster-sized company in particular has been a driving force in the CC adoption movement and will be the biggest beneficiary of the new curriculum and accountability models. Ms. Dougherty, I'm with you: it is all about the money.
citizen 2 months, 1 week ago
The Catfish Kings Are Hooked
Go team NC!
citizen 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Something's Wrong
@Guy F The letter writer said the 37k was just for the hospital bill. Surgeon fees will surely increase the final cost. At what price point would you think it is legitimate to complain about the bill?
citizen 2 months, 2 weeks ago
Something's Wrong
The Time article referenced in this thread is informative and infuriating. If you haven't yet read it, please try to. Good grief!
citizen 2 months, 4 weeks ago
Santa Ana Was Loyal to Himself
Referring to Santa Ana's fluctuating popularity, Paul Harvey told a story about the general, stating that he was probably the only person in history whose leg received a more splendid funeral than he himself did years later.
citizen 2 months, 4 weeks ago
How Many Presidents Have Crossed Your Path?
Geoff--the secret service book is probably Ronald Kessler's 'In the President's Secret Service.'
citizen 3 months ago
How Many Presidents Have Crossed Your Path?
I remember seeing-- but not meeting--Gerald Ford when he came to Pinehurst for the grand opening of the Golf Hall of Fame.
citizen 3 months, 1 week ago
Godfrey to Become Sheriff May 1
I don't know Mr. Levy, but I have read several editorials for this paper. His recent one about class size and school finance seemed particularly knowledgeable. Oldpilot, your comments about Mr. Levy are offensive and in my opinion quite immature. For you to be so insulting, while safely cloaked in anonymity, speaks more loudly about your own character.