ShareThisThe governors and chief education officials of 48 states have agreed on uniform national standards for the teaching of math and English. The federal government is about to spend $350 million to develop uniform national tests to measure how well those standards are being met.
Two states, Texas and Alaska, will not participate. The Texas commissioner of education outlined his state's objections to the plan in a letter to Sen. John Cornyn, R-Texas:
"Texas has chosen to preserve its sovereign authority to determine what is appropriate for Texas children to learn in its public schools. It is clear that the first step toward the nationalization of our schools has been put in place."
If the contents of these simple, jargon-free standards are not appropriate for Texas' children, then the Lone Star State is leaving huge gaps in their education. As for the second point, nationalization, the first step in that direction was taken in 2001 with the passage of the No Child Left Behind Act, the signal initiative of President George W. Bush -- a former governor of Texas, it should be noted.
However one felt about a law that significantly enhanced the federal presence in what had been almost purely a state and local responsibility, NCLB passed Congress with huge bipartisan majorities.
There were no national achievement standards in NCLB. Instead, states were left to design their own standards and tests, and because of the incentives and penalties in the act there was a considerable inducement to game the system to make schools look better than they were. The test results in some states did not square with the test results of the National Assessment of Educational Progress, often called the nation's report card, and because each state had its own tests, it was impossible to draw side-by-side comparisons or make meaningful judgments on national progress.
These newest standards are a consensus of the states' political and educational leaders. The drafting was funded by the states and several large foundations. The Obama administration largely stayed out of it. President Barack Obama has said, however, that he would like to make aid for disadvantaged students contingent on their graduating from high school certified as "college- and career-ready."
The new standards are a logical, even inevitable, next step from No Child Left Behind.
(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.scrippsnews.com)
Cheap UGG Boots On Sale!We
Cheap UGG Boots On Sale!We are the best ugg boots saler in UK.Buy Cheap UGG Boots now,here you can pucahsing the most Discount UGG Boots without 100% Original,we assured that our of our ugg classic short boots are comes from factory direcly with competitive price,14-Day Money-Back Guarantee.Fast And Free Shipping! Save 20-60% OFF!
Globe economic crisis ask for changing consumption concept,stimulate economic growth,so UGG Bailey Button Triplet benefit from this,they got magical popular now,chill winter is coming in an unfriendly gesture!Cope with UGG Classic Argyle Knit such terrible weather,uggs store hold like a raging fire promotion!Affect more people winter life,when we step with an UGG Bailey Button Kids,your footwear definitely admire by your friends!
International excellent craftsmanship combine grade A sheepskin,Cheap UGG Delaine Boots feature in warm-toned,simply stitching the sheepskin joint,ugg elsey boots are round toe shape ugg boots,with an light chestnut outsole,which seems have streak pattern rubber outsole,as we know ugg fringe cardy original design for skier so it’s slip resist degree anything but not worth our worry,ugg boots uk sole composed by EVA,but high abrasion performance of chestnut ugg classic mini boots result in lightweight ugg Kensington boots appropriate ugg roseberry boots step on a world of ice and snow!
Newly arrival kids ugg classic short have sale out of stock,such fast speed of sales,shocked winter boots industry.Although UGG Bailey Boots are style range from former two or three years to latest new launch, cheap ugg cardy boots have high reputation make people irresistible!There are thirty style of UGG Classic Tall 5885 offer on our ugg boots clearance shop,they are come in variety colors.Women and men all willing to pay for 100% raw sheepskin,but sometime they feel Women's UGG Classic Mini store seldom hold as huge UGG Knightsbridge Boots,so they would rather order a genuine UGG Classic Tall double face Australia sheepskin ugg Adirondack tall online which delivery to your home without any shipping cost!
We dare not to say our high ugg suburb crochet volume just come with magical,we should like to attribute the splendent achievement to hardworking ugg classic short boots seller,top quality ugg boots,wholesale price offered,and the long-term support of you! ugg tassel short anticipate build more longer business relationship with you!