Fitton Center studio named
Sneak peek at 'Runway' finale
'Suor Angelica' rehearsal
Home > Blogs > Springfield Schools News and Issues > Archives > 2009 > March > 10 > Entry
Obama talks education
President Barack Obama outlined some of his plans for education in the U.S. in a speech Tuesday.
If you’re experiencing a little deja vu right now, it might be because of this.
Obama, March 10:
“And I am calling on our nation’s Governors and state education chiefs to develop standards and assessments that don’t simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test, but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, entrepreneurship and creativity.”
Gov. Ted Strickland, Jan. 28:
“Students will, of course, continue to learn the timeless core subjects like math and science that are critical to their success. But we will also add new topics including global awareness and life skills to the curriculum. And we will use teaching methods that foster creativity and innovation, critical thinking and problem solving, communication and collaboration, media literacy, leadership and productivity, cultural awareness, adaptability and accountability.”
Obama, March 10:
“I’m calling for us not only to expand effective after-school programs, but to rethink the school day to incorporate more time - whether during the summer or through expanded-day programs for children who need it.”
Strickland, Jan. 28:
“Over a ten-year period we will add 20 instructional days to the school calendar - bringing Ohio’s learning year up to the international average of 200 days.”
Obama, March 10:
“Even as we invest in early childhood education, let’s raise the bar for early learning programs that are falling short. Today, some children are enrolled in excellent programs.”
Strickland, Jan. 28:
“To better serve our youngest learners and help them thrive in school and in life, we will unite all of our early childhood development programs and resources into the Department of Education. This comprehensive early childhood system will focus on the whole child and provide quality early learning and care while improving our efficiency and effectiveness.”
Obama, March 10:
“From the moment students enter a school, the most important factor in their success is not the color of their skin or the income of their parents, it’s the person standing at the front of the classroom.”
Strickland, Jan. 28:
“There is simply nothing that we as policymakers can influence in our schools that is as consequential as providing top quality teachers for our students.”
Obama, March 10:
“Let me be clear: if a teacher is given a chance but still does not improve, there is no excuse for that person to continue teaching. I reject a system that rewards failure and protects a person from its consequences. The stakes are too high.”
Strickland, Jan. 28:
“But even for teachers already in the field, we must have the ability to remove them from the classroom if their students are not learning. Right now, it’s harder to dismiss a teacher than any other public employee. Under my plan, we will give administrators the power to dismiss teachers for good cause, the same standard applied to other public employees.”
Okay, enough of that. There were many similarities between Strickland’s plans outlined in his State of the State address and budget and Obama’s speech yesterday.
In theory, at least, that would indicate Ohio is already starting down the path that every state will be heading down soon. And that could be good.
But not everything Obama said matched Strickland’s plans. It looks like Obama plans to put merit pay - rewarding teachers monetarily for excellence in teaching.
“Too many supporters of my party have resisted the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even though we know it can make a difference in the classroom.”
He is also urging states that have caps on the number of charter schools allowed to remove those caps.
“That isn’t good for our children, our economy, or our country. Of course, any expansion of charter schools must not result in the spread of mediocrity, but in the advancement of excellence. That will require states adopting both a rigorous selection and review process to ensure that a charter school’s autonomy is coupled with greater accountability - as well as a strategy, like the one in Chicago, to close charter schools that are not working. Provided this greater accountability, I call on states to reform their charter rules, and lift caps on the number of allowable charter schools, wherever such caps are in place.”
Our new president had a lot to say about education and the future of it in America.
What stands out to you in Obama’s address?
Permalink | Comments (3) | Post your comment | Categories: Reform
Comments
By RM
March 11, 2009 11:45 AM | Link to this
Obama wants “higher standards” in education? What does Obama have to say about today’s headline from his own hometown? “Violence claims a record 26th Chicago school kid” Chicago education was supposedly one of the FEW Obama accomplishments. What a joke! This country DOES NOT need Obama’s standards!By J
March 11, 2009 12:05 PM | Link to this
Stop giving all the money to the banks and failing businesses, and give it to the schools. When those kids start running things, maybe they won’t need a bailout!By Megan Gildow
March 11, 2009 1:05 PM | Link to this
J- There is some stimulus money directed at local school districts; the problem right now is that no one has any idea what the regulations on spending that money will be and therefore how it can be used. I know we have at least a couple districts right now who are going ahead with cuts despite projections they will be receiving extra federal dollars because they don’t know how they will legally be allowed to use that money.