For my post numero tres, I would like to write about my reaction to last class and a little about the readings for this week. My previous post have been about the readings and my experiences with them, it least that was my goal. The last class we discussed a little about religion in the non-profit sector, education(main portion of class), and Obama’s plan for improving the American education program.
For this post I don’t feel like discussing religion because, I already wrote about that topic last post. For education, I was really excited last class to hear so many opinions and ideas about education. Another reason, is that my focus in school is ‘Geography Education’ and I would like to teach some day in the far future (like 10-15yrs). There was a lot of talk about about public school vs. private schools. I thought the majority of people agreed on the problems addressed, this really made me think WOW. I am WOWed because, 1st – everyone has an agreement (close enough for a majority), 2nd – I ask myself; It sounds like there is an agreement that public education needs some restructuring but, Why hasn’t it happened?
I went home this weekend and pondered on this question. While I was out and about riding my horse through the country side, I came up with a couple of ideas. 1st - maybe we focus to much of our politics on bigger problems and foreign problems, we are distracted and forget about domestic problems. 2nd – maybe there isn’t enough funding to improve public education. (but I think not) 3rd – maybe the federal/state government doesn’t want to deal with it during our economic crisis and Obama is waiting to approach this after the economy returns back to a stable level. So, if your reading my post, please comment your thought on why the Education system has not been restructured?
If you are wondering what I mean by ?Restructured?
I mean newer schools, more teachers, higher paid teachers, more schools to help highly populated areas, making sure schools don’t have to cut days back, giving kids the activities and sports they want, not cutting their education because of money. I hope this helps make things clear.
After reviewing the chapter on Education and Research, from Nonprofit Nation, I was not surprised by the amount of private schools and students there are in the U.S.A., especially after last weeks class on Religion. So a question I have for people, How are Private schools checked to make sure they are teaching the States requirements for education?
“The challenges and opportunities facing non-profit education and research arise partly from their work and partly from larger societal demands” (Nonprofit Nation pg123). If there is a demand for a better education and research, why haven’t these been addressed to the National level?
I think that if the government gave money to Private schools, it would create huge controversial problems. Which Private school to give money to, and these schools being religious? With the separation of church and state, how would that work?
Your hypothesis that Obama is waiting out the recession before substantial education reform falls right in line with a large body of policy research suggesting that in the history of school reform, all major (successful) shifts have taken place in times of economic prosperity. So what, then, are we to do in the meantime? Many would argue that Obama’s piecemeal approach through voluntary, competitive funding programs (Race to the Top Fund, I3 Fund) are laying the groundwork for bigger reforms in the future.
As to your question about government regulation of private schools, every state has a different set of regulations – some more lax than others. Here’s a link to a summary and database discussing this very issue, if you’re interested… http://www.privateschoolreview.com/articles/9.
All around, well done. (5/5)