Candidates Views on Education
To find ways getting political while keeping and education base I researched some of the views of some of the upcoming candidates on education in the United States.
Barack Obama emphasized how the No Child Left Behind Act was not effective, even calling it “a troubled program”. He stated how his big concern is making sure our youth can compete with countries such as China and India in the Global economy. In one of his speeches he said the problem with the NCLB act was the lack of money as well as support and pay for the teachers working to achieve this. He emphasized that these teachers devoted their lives to teaching not to helping students test therefore they should be allowed to teach.
John McCain stated that he found NCLB to be a good beginning that just needs a lot of work. His goal is that a student will be able to go as far as their ambition will take them. He too like Obama said how important it is to keep our lead in education all over the world.
Monday May 19th, 2008
Teachers in the News
To keep on the Politics on a closer level I make it a point to watch the news at lest once a day. Many stories that caught my interest were things such as presidential candidates visiting towns and schools close by along with big decisions at town meetings. One story in particular that caught my eye was on the news just tonight.
In South Bend school food service workers joined teachers and students to protest before the school board meeting. The teachers protesting have been working with out a contract all year and are worried they will watch the summer go by without one as well. The pay for the custodial and food service staff is now tied with that of the teachers. Many will have to get part time jobs in the summer just to get by. Superintendent Robert Zimmerman said that it is an issue that requires difficult choices that may require taking away some jobs. What the struck me the most was the students who were with them protesting as well. They were so inspired by their teachers they wanted to help make their jobs better.
Tuesday May 20th, 2008
Dream Act
I have been researching different acts besides No Child Left Behind that affects students. One very interesting one that I came across was the DREAM act. This stands for Development, Relief and Education for Alien Minors. This is a proposed legislation in the United States that would give legal status to long-term immigrants who are earn high scores in high school and want to attend college or join the armed forces.
Although it has been brought before the House of Representative and Senate several times it has made little headway. When presented to the House of Representative it has never been brought to the floor as a stand-alone vote. It has been debated however in the Senate on October 24th, 2007. It gained the majority of the votes (52-44) but unfortunately this is 8 votes short of overcoming a filibuster by the senators who were against the bill. This is a very interesting bill to me because it affects the United States, as immigration is hot topic right now, but also because of all the impact on students.
I have been observing the Obama’s involvement in education in America over thepast months. I have been watching new programs and reading up and their actions and interests in the students of their county. One project that has really interested me in Michelle Obama’s project of working with fifth graders on a garden planted at the Whitehouse. This spring Michelle planted this garden with the students from Bancroft Elementary School and invited them back to harvest the food. The students learned about the gardening process, cooking with the organic vegetables, and the environment. This is the first time that the Whitehouse has a garden since Eleanor Roosevelt planted her victory garden.
This was a step towards helping Americans think about eating habits and our environment. A movement started by Rodger Doiron of Eat the View, who encourages families to eat healthy and local food. Since the begging of this garden more and more family across the united states have started eating local produce or planting their own. I enjoyed watching the process that Michelle Obama went about to be an example to these school children. This was more than just a suggestion to Americans. I most enjoyed how much the president and his wife involve school children in their activities in the government. It is important that students are hands on, involved and considered when taking steps to change their future. While it is too early to actually say this garden has a strong impact on America now it is evident that there will be continued involvement of students and children in Michelle Obama’s activities and movements during her time as the first lady. This is hope that students nationwide will step up and have more involvement in the country they life in.
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