According to one of his spokespeople, “Senator McCain generally supports No Child Left Behind.” Generally supports?! Okay, whatever. So, McCain supports (generally) No Child Left Behind (NCLB)—but his spokespeople have also been quoted as saying McCain knows we can save public education if we “have the courage to do more than placate the defenders of the status quo.” Other comments from the McCain camp are equally vague—and often contradictory—and lead to my belief that, generally, McCain cares more about losing the support of the Republican base than he does about overhauling the crises that face American schools as a result of NCLB.
Another wavering example: McCain has commented, “We [and I’m assuming that he’s referring to the federal government] must continue to set standards and hold schools accountable for their performance…We should never shrink from the truth or seek to soften accountability where schools are failing in their most basic responsibility…they have failed students, parents and communities.” McCain has also commented, “I do not favor nationally imposed standards or federal funding strings. State and local education agencies should be responsible for developing & enforcing high academic standards. I don’t believe we should penalize students by taking away limited education dollars according to federal dictates.”
So, clearly, McCain has got no clear stance on education—and, honestly, since education is not a key issue for Republican candidates, it seems as though no one really expects him to. In order to placate the small percentage of the voting population which has a strong interest in education and educational reform, he’s got a couple of vague responses that he figures will suit either crowd; these comments abound with loaded words like standards, truth, accountability, failure, and responsibility. McCain hopes/supposes that his audience will be so taken with these words that they will not really take notice to the fact that he never makes a definitive statement.
This language provides an effective smokescreen—deferring listeners away from the hard facts, distracting them with idealistic, dramatic, patriotic language. The words chosen by McCain misdirect the listener, away from the subject at hand—the failures of No Child Left Behind—and refocus on the general notion of accountability; and, while it sounds nice and idealistic, accountability can be translated, in reference to NCLB, to blame-shifting.
For an observant listener to McCain’s comments on education, the reasons for worry are many, and the scariest one may be: Why has McCain busted out the smokescreen? Is he keeping his real agenda hidden until he officially gets the Republican nomination? Because this would be far preferable to the unsettling thoughts that it’s hidden because a) McCain actually thinks that No Child Left Behind is a good start or b) that he has no ideas for, interest in, or plans about improving the educational system. I find McCain’s use of smokescreen unbecoming and, generally, unconvincing.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Thursday, February 7, 2008
American Children--and American Principles--Left Behind
America is the land of opportunity. (Equal opportunity.) It’s a country where anyone—regardless of race, gender, or class—who is willing to work hard enough can achieve his or her dreams: In America, the daughter of a New York City hotdog vendor has the opportunity to become the President of the United States.
It is the fundamental American belief that all men are created equal that underlies this principle of equal opportunity. That persistence, diligence, and good old-fashioned hard work can earn anyone unlimited success and social mobility—this is one of the American ideals that lured immigrants from all over the world to the teeming shores of America. Formed initially to teach English to the children of these immigrants (our forbearers), public schools are responsible for taking American children—however diverse—and preparing them for life as dutiful citizens. Public schools have always been a great equalizer in our melting pot of a country.
Recognizing the fact that public schools are the cornerstone of the American principle of equal opportunity, it becomes clear that any infringement upon (or shirking of responsibilities toward) public schools is a direct infringement upon American principles. Upholding the principles upon which this country was founded is a primary responsibility of the federal government.
Hiding a number of sins behind a carefully-framed, benevolent-sounding name, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which President Bush signed into law January 8, 2002, is an affront to the federal government’s responsibility toward public schools. Discriminating against schools is no different than discriminating against people; punishing a failing school is no different, and no more effective, than punishing a failing student; refusing to fund struggling schools is, in essence, refusing students their fundamental right as American citizens to equal opportunity.
In order for all American men and women to continue to be equals—and to continue to have equal opportunities to their right to pursue their own particular versions of happiness—it is essential that America’s public schools be equally attended to by a responsible federal government that’s dedicated to preserving the principles upon which this country was founded.
In the wake of the federal disregard for public education labeled No Child Left Behind, America’s public schools are no longer able to function as this country‘s founders had intended—they are no longer providing equal opportunities to American children. So, how do each of the presidential candidates plan to strengthen neglected public schools (in order that American children and American principles do not continue to be left behind)?
It is the fundamental American belief that all men are created equal that underlies this principle of equal opportunity. That persistence, diligence, and good old-fashioned hard work can earn anyone unlimited success and social mobility—this is one of the American ideals that lured immigrants from all over the world to the teeming shores of America. Formed initially to teach English to the children of these immigrants (our forbearers), public schools are responsible for taking American children—however diverse—and preparing them for life as dutiful citizens. Public schools have always been a great equalizer in our melting pot of a country.
Recognizing the fact that public schools are the cornerstone of the American principle of equal opportunity, it becomes clear that any infringement upon (or shirking of responsibilities toward) public schools is a direct infringement upon American principles. Upholding the principles upon which this country was founded is a primary responsibility of the federal government.
Hiding a number of sins behind a carefully-framed, benevolent-sounding name, The No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which President Bush signed into law January 8, 2002, is an affront to the federal government’s responsibility toward public schools. Discriminating against schools is no different than discriminating against people; punishing a failing school is no different, and no more effective, than punishing a failing student; refusing to fund struggling schools is, in essence, refusing students their fundamental right as American citizens to equal opportunity.
In order for all American men and women to continue to be equals—and to continue to have equal opportunities to their right to pursue their own particular versions of happiness—it is essential that America’s public schools be equally attended to by a responsible federal government that’s dedicated to preserving the principles upon which this country was founded.
In the wake of the federal disregard for public education labeled No Child Left Behind, America’s public schools are no longer able to function as this country‘s founders had intended—they are no longer providing equal opportunities to American children. So, how do each of the presidential candidates plan to strengthen neglected public schools (in order that American children and American principles do not continue to be left behind)?
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