Kerry/Education

[JHS]

Kerry is winning support from many teachers. As president, Kerry has promised to fully fund the "No Child Left Behind" act, rebuild and modernize crumbling school buildings, make early childhood education a top priority, and recruit and train two million new teachers over the next ten years. Kerry is a true friend to educators and they know it!

[chimpymustgo]

1. All excellent proposals.

eom

[XanaDUer]

2. Kerry For President!

n/t.

[Teacher4dean04]

3. NCLB is a bad law

This is one of the few points I strongly disagree with Kerry about. NCLB needs to go...the goals are unattainable and the job risk of teachers is incredible (an entire school can be fired if found 'failing' even if most students have excellent test scores). Half of all teachers quit the profession within 5 years, and this law is making more new teachers reconsider their chosen profession. I like that Kerry feels strongly about supporting and funding education, but wish he looked more closely into what that law actually expects.

[JHS]

4. Kerry Record on Education

Here are a few things Kerry has done on education as a Senator:

Senator Kerry led a group of bipartisan senators during the 106th Congress in an effort to identify key education reform initiatives that all parties could agree were critical to improving education reform. Those initiatives included strong accountability provisions, funding comprehensive school reform, ensuring that principals have access to high-quality professional development opportunities; funding to schools for the creation of alternative learning environments for violent or chronically disruptive students; funding initiatives to recruit and retain high-quality teachers; and expanding public school choice program.The education reform priorities that Senator Kerry and his colleagues championed were critical components of the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act in 2000 and 2001.Senator Kerry supported legislation signed into law this year to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act.

Senator Kerry has been at the forefront of the fight to obtain federal funding for school construction. Senator Kerry responded to these challenges by cosponsoring S. 905, legislation that would allow the federal government to issue $24.8 billion in school modernization bonds in order to help states and school districts fix crumbling schools.

Senator Kerry was the first to bring the attention of Congress to the importance of leadership of the public schools, recognizing the critical role that principals and other administrators play. He proposed an amendment, which was ultimately signed into law, to ensure that these important educational leaders have the resources that they need to serve our school communities.

Senator Kerry has worked with many of his colleagues to ensure that the federal government becomes a true partner of state and local governments in the provision of special education. He has consistently supported efforts to fully fund the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act and will continue working toward full funding.

Kerry has proven he will work to make public school better for all!

[Teacher4dean04]

5. He definitely seems pro education!

A question and comment.

"and expanding public school choice program"
Does this mean he supports vouchers? Looking for clarification, please.

"He proposed an amendment, which was ultimately signed into law, to ensure that these important educational leaders have the resources that they need to serve our school communities"

Great! :thumbsup: Having resources is definitely winning part of the battle. However, NCLB takes away principals' authority to make decisions, and in my most humble opinion, I believe that the federal government should have as little say as feasable in local school decisions. They may get money for resources, but NCLB still takes away so much choice by individual school districts, which ultimately takes away choices for individual teachers. Teachers MUST 'teach to the test' under NCLB for fear of their jobs. I'd love to teach 6-8 weeks of government in my History class, but cannot because I am required to cover so much other content. I have no choice, even though I am the professional and should be allowed to make my own decisions about what I think is important in my classroom. It's frustrating having politicians telling you what you should think is important to teach.

I sound out-there, but really I'm not. I know there are certain things that must be covered. But many schools end up requiring teachers to teach scripted lessons from textbooks as a school policy, because students must pass these tests. It takes all the passion out of teaching!

[DrFunkenstein]

12. Kerry On Vouchers, Class Size And Supporting Young Teachers

John Kerry opposes private school vouchers that will drain scarce funds from public schools. Instead, he supports efforts to increase resources to public schools to ensure all students have quality teachers, high standards, smaller classes, and safe, modern schools.

---

On Class Size:

Smaller classes promote student achievement, improve discipline and classroom order, and expand quality learning time. Rather than terminate successful programs to reduce class size, John Kerry will champion initiatives that ensure children are not forced to learn in overcrowded classrooms, particularly in the early grades.

On supporting teachers in low-income districts:

Schools serving low-income and minority children are four to five times more likely as other schools to have unqualified teachers. The new education reform law would have dedicated funds to helping teachers gain skills to help their students succeed. John Kerry would provide the necessary support for teacher development, treat teachers with the respect they deserve and encourage talented young people who want to become teachers.

[Teacher4dean04]

14. Yup

Again, I agree with his philosophy. But having seen the effects of NCLB though its implementation, I don't think that Kerry can help improve the failing situation of our education system while following his agenda.

I think he's misguided by false claims in NCLB just like he (seems to be) misguided on his vote for the war. Good intentions, faulty information leading him to bad choices.

[LWolf]

6. Actually, no.

I'm an educator, and I don't know it. He does not have my support. Promising to fully fund NCLB infers that he supports NCLB and plans to leave it in place. That instantly loses me.

NCLB is a travesty. For those of us on the front lines, dealing with the actual reality, it is a political deception, boosting political careers on our, and our children's, backs. I don't know a single educator who thinks it has, is, or ever will benefit a single child. But we can all point to kids that it's hurting. Fully funding it won't change the fact that it is detrimental to public education.

I won't hijack your Kerry thread into an NCLB rant; I've posted it many times before in other places. Check out health/education/etc. to see if any of them are still up, if you are interested.

But stating that teachers support Kerry, and then using NCLB as an example why, is not accurate.

[VoteClark]

9. So who then do you support LWolf

Clark said that he thinks teachers need to be paid according to their value to society.


J4Clark

[LWolf]

11. At this point, I support DK.

Not just for his views on education; for the whole package. None of them address education fully. Perhaps because we have so many other current crises that need attending to.

DK's stance on education addresses the actual root of educational problems in America. It's not the system. I could give you a novel on the problems within the system; there are many that need to be addressed. But they are not the underlying cause of poor performance in school. The most significant factor in predicting test scores is not the condition of the school building, the qualifications of the teacher, the particular practices and philosophies within the building (retention/social promotion, phonics/whole language), or the particular commercially produced "program" used by the school. It is parent ed level and socio-economic level. DK addresses this:

Congress should strive to reduce poverty as its goal. Education is the only solution proven to reduce poverty levels. This conclusion is backed by thousands of national studies. Given the opportunity, education and training pave a path out of poverty for many families.

Five years ago when welfare was reformed, recipients were discouraged, and even prevented from earning a higher degree. Since 1996, the City University of New York experienced annual declines in the number of students who were welfare recipients - from a high of 22,000 students in 1996, to only 5,000 welfare students in 2000. As soon as welfare reform passed, some recipients were even kicked out of school, some only a few months from graduation. What improved condition worthy of the name of reform would create barriers to a college degree?

Congress should allow and encourage people to get career training or work toward a college degree, GED, other degree or learn English. It should create exemptions from time limits so welfare recipients aren't prevented from earning a college degree. If an individual has a bachelor's degree, the average yearly wage is $30,730, nearly three times as much as the $11,432, non-degree employees earn. A college degree translates to a living wage job that allows people to live self-sufficiently and move from welfare programs for good.

Congress should allow home childcare to count as an allowable work activity. For women on welfare, childcare during evening and weekend hours is notoriously difficult to find and is too costly for a welfare recipient. In 1998, 43 states reported waiting lists for childcare, and only 12 percent of those eligible for child care are getting it. Not only does it make practical sense to allow mothers to take care of their own children; it makes sense for families to stay together.


Dennis Kucinich introduced legislation that will expand full-day, full-year quality education programs to all children over the age of three.

Pre-kindergarten programs prepare children to meet the challenges of school. Studies show that young children who have access to a quality education benefit with higher academic achievements, increased graduation rates and decreased juvenile delinquency. Nationwide there's a severe shortage of affordable, quality education programs. By providing universal pre-kindergarten, we are ensuring that all of our children are ready for school.

The Universal Pre-Kindergarten Act will provide funding to States to establish universal pre-kindergarten programs that build on existing federal and state pre-kindergarten initiatives. The program is voluntary and will be available free-of-charge to all families who choose to participate. The legislation requires pre-kindergarten programs to meet quality standards of early education and provides resources for the professional development of teachers.

The supporters of strong accountability provisions advance their agenda by placing full, total, and complete blame, and punishment, on the teacher/school, ignoring this factor. We had this information before the current "standards and accountability" movement got started. It's been ignored; whatever doesn't fit the agenda is conveniently ignored. Sound familiar to you?

Current legislation says that I am at fault, and will, along with my school and district, be sanctioned, and/or taken over, disbanded, etc. if my test scores don't rise every year, no matter what. Not if I have poor test scores. I can have great test scores, but if they aren't higher every year no matter what, I've failed. It doesn't matter if the kids showed up for school regularly. It doesn't matter if they ever did homework or turned in any classwork. It doesn't matter if they speak english. Although the law says they will be instructed and tested in english whether they speak it or not. It doesn't matter what the pre-existing conditions are; none of the other factors that affect student performance matter. And I am supposed to support someone who promotes this crap? No thanks.

The current accountability agenda will eventually label every school in America as "failing." That's the agenda. That's why good test scores aren't good enough. We've been set up to fail. And when we are all labeled public failures, public ed can be privatized. That's the real, underlying agenda here.

No candidate has addressed this issue to my satisfaction.

DK comes the closest, in recognizing that addressing the failing "schools" starts with addressing the root of failure; socio-economic level of families.

[Teacher4dean04]

13. Awesome!

So what exactly is his plan? Ideas are great, implementing them is something else.

[LWolf]

16. I'm waiting for more specific info.

One of the questions I emailed; a campaign worker forwarded it to DK. She wanted him to respond personally. I let you know when I hear back.

:hi:

[SyracuseDemocrat]

7. yeah

the local superintendent here is a big supporter of Kerry, she comes to the meetups.

[Teacher4dean04]

8. A superintendent

is closer to being a politician than a teacher.

[VoteClark]

10. If between Dean and Kerry

I think Clark is best in his issues on education. He knows the importance of it. However, I would choose Kerry over Dean on the issue of education. I had a friend that went to Vermont for school and it was expensive. I think Kerry also has more backing by teachers unions. I don't think they would back Kerry if they have 8 other choices and they choose him. Maybe Kerry isn't perfect on education, but he must be better then the others for some reason.


J4Clark

[killbotfactory]

15. I'm sorry, but... what?

You had a friend that went to Vermont for school and it was expensive? Is this college, high school, or what, and how was it expensive? compared to what?

As for Dean:

Because education is vital to the well-being of our nation's children, but spending for education can be expensive, Governor Dean has initiated and released comparative studies on how education budgets and student performance relate and vary from school district to school district, within Vermont. He hopes this will allow school districts to trade information with each other on cost-saving strategies to provide quality education for their students. The governor has additionally made efforts to redistribute state educational funding in Vermont on a more equalized level. Based on the cooperative team-building efforts that Dean encourages between Vermont educators, Vermonters will have a greater opportunity to pool resources, develop new budget goals, brainstorm, and communicate with other teachers around the state through interactive "town hall" meetings.

The governor believes strongly that it is greatly enriching for young people to become more familiar and more knowledgeable with the cultural diversity around us. For that reason, he has developed the Governor's Institutes, one- to two-week-long youth seminars held at Castleton State College and the University of Vermont - Burlington, where participants are creative and artistic high school students interested in learning more about the world around them. Several areas can be chosen for exploration. Students skilled in art and music can take part in courses such as painting, graphic design, sculpting, drawing, writing, theater production, drama, cinematography, musical composition, dance performance, and choreography. Workshops are conducted by visiting artists and faculty, students produce and exhibit their talents in evening performances, and a July 4th parade is held to bring the group together in a festival-like atmosphere.

For those wishing to become exposed to Asian culture, workshops and lectures are given that focus on a specific Asian ethnicity and facets of its cultural virtues, including religion, philosophy, history, families, social formulas, linguistics, the arts, health, economy, and medicine. Through hands-on and interdisciplinary exercises, national leaders and instructors of Asian culture & history will conduct these workshops. Articles will be read on Asia and its continental civilizations, and students will have the opportunity to travel to China and Mongolia during the following summer.

Another school within the Governor's Institute is centered around public issues and empowering young people to become civic participants and leaders. Through community-building activities, students use their imaginations and group communication to examine past, present, and future relationships to their personal identity, while discussing topical issues affecting their generation and the political process. Activities such as field trips, writing exercises, debates, simulations, composition, and personal reflection, students receive the chance to gain a clear vision for what their future goals are for making a difference in the world. Participants learn to make analytical connections between how generational, neighborhood-based, and individual differences all cohesively contribute to the diverse society that we live in.

In a more "purely academic" capacity, the Governor's Institutes offer other learning opportunities for students in the areas of mathematics, computer science, and engineering. Faculty and guest speakers lead seminars on biomedicine, civil engineering, mechanics, statistics, aerospace concepts, physics, mathematical analysis, computer applications, and electronics via hands-on learning and presentations. By team-building activities and field trips to a state-of-the-art IBM facility, the Burlington Waste Water Facility and Living Technologies, and the Shelbourne Farms Barn (one of the largest wooden structures in the world), students work on group projects relating to their chosen field and compete in a competition of balsa wood truss construction.

And for environmentally-conscious students, the Governor's Institute has a field research program that studies outdoor landscapes through computer application, observational strategies, and technological means to gain a better understand of the natural sciences. While collecting physical field data and samples, participants will delve into themes of geology, botany, hydrology, soil composition, water chemistry, and aquatic biology, and will do mapping, electron microscope scanning, computer imagery, and laboratory analyses of chemical and microscopic data. Selecting a specialized area of science, students may receive subsequent internships, service learning opportunities, or duties as research assistants to gain a better appreciation for environmental issues. All of the Governor's Institutes take place on college campuses, allowing high schoolers to experience a bit of college life, gain insight into potential career paths they might take, and engage in college planning, financial aid searches, and recreation & leisure activities.

Visit the Governor's Institutes website at http://www.giv.org/main.html. Governor Dean's efforts to extrapolate learning through unconventional education experiences has enriched the lives of many young Vermonters, and will continue to do so for years to come. Just imagine how beneficial this type of program would be if federally sponsored or made more widespread.

http://www.votewithavengeance.com/dean.html

[SyracuseDemocrat]

17. former teacher

also.

[SGrande]

18. kerry rocks!

[LWolf]

19. n/t

n/t

[blm]

20. Keith bump

.

[LWolf]

21. <sigh>

While Kerry is not my first choice, I think he is a viable candidate. He's in my top few. Promoting support for NCLB will not win teacher support for Kerry.


http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/news/editorial/6505568.htm

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=108&topic_id=18009&mesg_id=18009

[blm]

22. I think if Kerry is in

he'll work with Kennedy and others to get another bill, WITHOUT the GOP influence. Kennedy made alot of compromises with Bush to get any bill, and then the jerk failed to fund it.

[LWolf]

23. It's not just the funding.

The unfunded mandates are ludicrous, but the way the testing/accountability portion of the legislation is written, all schools will be labeled failing, will be financially penalized, and will be open to takeover or disbanding in favor of vouchers and privatized companies that come in and operate a corporate school, like Edison. The funding tied to NCLB is not new funding, it is the same money that has always come from federal sources for targeted programs; test scores can now allow the funds to be withheld. In other words, if a school district or state decides not to participate in the NCLB testing requirements, they will give up federal funding.