States have the right to determine the education of it’s youth. There was not even a Federal Department of Education until Jimmy Carter in 1979 gave that little gem to us. Now the government is moving ahead with plans to make a national core standard. Translation Federalized education.
President Barack Obama told the nation’s governors last month that he wants to make Title I dollars for public schools contingent on adoption of college- and career-ready reading and math standards, but the president said the states would not be required to adopt the coalition’s standards.-from New national math and english standards drafted
Now how is that voluntary? In this economy where most state educational departments are getting hit hard with increasing union pay, increased special education students (the rise in autism) there is no money and the states are desperate. So they have to come lapping at the boots of the Sec. of Ed Arne Duncan. He has a large carrot for those that conform.
Texas and Alaska are the only states not participating in the national standards effort and Texas also opted out of the federal Race to the Top competition for $4.35 billion for education reform.-from New national math and english standards drafted
Good for you Texas and Alaska but how long can you stand. Or better question how long will you be allowed to stand apart?
These national standards of course come with a test. There is a pile of money for that as well. Some of the standards make more math needed earlier, but why? Are we now moving kindergarten to Pre-K4 or worse Pre-K3. Oh then let us revive the Birth to 18 idea to be sure all children are allowed the best opportunity at advancement in the system.
So why should a homeschooler be interested in this other than the general liberties loss? One it is the sign of a power hungry administration. The Sec of Ed Duncan in one of his early speeches said that he wanted national standards for high school diplomas, so that employers know that they are getting worker with a general amount of knowledge. Sounds great until you get to the details, and the strong arm behind the words. How can you make all diplomas equal? You federalize the whole system.
How then do you treat homeschoolers? You create one standard, make standardized testing obligatory. This will quickly show you any child that is special needs. So now you focus on getting those kids back into the public school system where “trained professionals” can care for them. Much like the healthcare legislation where there is a serious question as to where the drs will come from, where will get enough teachers?
Other arguments that a federalized school system may try:
Separation of state and religion…therefor no schools that teach religion, even private???
More government interference in your home, we will come teach you how to be a parent.
In general this is a horrible trend. Not just the national standards but the intent and overall movement of the government. I am just not comfortable with this government because frankly they aren’t listening. I have spoke up to my local reps more times this years than ever. I know many of my friends are too and yet they aren’t listening.
Listen carefully. Here are a couple other articles you may want to read on this topics:
Birth to 18 Good or bad for homeschoolers?
What do you think? Is this a bad move in education, or do you think the federal government should be in charge of all education in America?
Popularity: 34% [?]
Simply put..in order to justify nationalization…it would require not only just getting rid of the 10th amendment which is there for a reason-federal government, by virtue of the Constitution was given limited power, with states by virtue of the Constitution, to self-govern, but we would have to get rid of the Constitution itself and have a central government where all matters of local and state has to be in line with a central ruling party.
That means..no longer a democrative republic but as define via this link, an oligarchy government.
Oligarchies are often controlled by a few powerful families whose children are raised and mentored to become inheritors of the power of the oligarchy, often at some sort of expense to those governed. In contrast to aristocracy (“government by the ‘best’”), this power may not always be exercised openly, the oligarchs preferring to remain “the power behind the throne”, exerting control through economic means.
Other countries have a socialistic democracy that is parlimentary based; Ours is a democratic republic that is based on a presidency. There is a huge difference.
For ex.Prime Minister can dissolve a current government in place and call for a new election. In our government, the president cannot and kept from doing so via the Constitution.
A great example that also explains the difference between our elections and other countries as well is this,” In a presidential government, the president and members of Congress are chosen in separate elections while in a parliamentary process, one size fits all, so to speak.
So nationalization of education is not the way to go because it can and will unsurp the basic foundations of the Constitution.