Part IV: The Bottom Line

“Our agenda is to restore quality to education by increasing competition and by strengthening parental choice and local control (p.184).” In the last section of “School”, it’s discussed how education turned into a competition which will result in good things happening for schools but really the government. The quote above was an assumption of mine. By strengthening parental choice, in what way will it help their child? Education in American schools did not mainly start off with teaching students the right way. The right way meaning all of the curricula we have today in school was not the ideal goal. At the time immigrants were traveling to America to be Americanized and live the dream. “Traditionally, America’s public schools had aimed to educate citizens to live in a democracy (p.184).” Students were being prepared and influenced for the work field not excelling in mathematics, reading, and writing, etc.

“Corporate leaders and business associations viewed schools as crucial in producing a trained workforce that would strengthen American international competitiveness (p.176).” I choose to argue with this quote because a school should not be looked at in this way. The purpose of what a school is and provides is taken away. “We are seeing examples, that are mostly faculty. By getting new textbooks, by getting a new principal or assistant anecdotal

so far, of so-called regular schools offerings, by replenishing their principal (p. 205).” I view this as for looks and not saying how it will benefit students in school.

“Finally, where the bottom line matters in schooling- the classroom- no one knows for certain whether all the testing, all the required courses, and all the penalties and rewards get teachers to teach better and students to learn more (p. 182).” This quote made me think about the time high school students had to take the HSPA- High School Proficiency Assessment. The teachers were shocked, confused, and concerned for us students. It came out of nowhere we had a limited amount of time to practice, understand, and aim to reach the highest score. I remember being caught off guard with this test and having a hard time understanding the purpose of it. To the students, it determined if we were dumb or not. On the other hand, our teachers told us we’re not the only students taking the HSPA and they’ll try their best to help us understand a material they could out figure out themselves. The teachers that understand practiced with us, those that did not just gave us the answers. “You can’t teach a child how to think unless you have something for him to think about (p. 209).” I agree with this quote because it’s very relevant and still true today when teaching students. It’s hard for students to take and apply materials to themselves when they’re not able to find the reason behind it. American education has come a long way from what should and should not be taught. Preparing students for the work field at a young age to making and meeting new academic standards.