Let there be no doubt: The future belongs to the nation that best educates its citizens — and my fellow Americans, we have everything we need to be that nation.
President Barack Obama’s speech to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerceis less a statement of policy than of principles. Calling for changes, (he uses the phrase “call on” or “call for” 9 times) is not policy, which is where the devil is in the details.
Education is the most demagogued of policy areas, and Obama doesn’t differ from other American Presidents in this regard. In the generic educational speech, everything is urgent and the fate our country is always at stake. The fate of the economy is simplified to a matter of educated workers. mocratic promises. Generally speaking, these stakes are real, real enough for poitical mileage, but too general for rational discussion.
Standards. Ineffective in closing the achievement gap.
Data. Always a good idea, but it depends on the quality and nature of the data.
Recruitment. Good luck. Maybe the economic downturn will help.
Charter Schools. Charter schools can be effective, but innovation is in the eye of the beholder. Where’s ther research suggesting that it’s innovation rather than
“where much of that innovation occurs is in our most effective charter schools”
ELT. “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.”
Pre-School.
