Chapter+10+Activity+Your+Opinion

//** Question #1: **////** How do states raise revenues to support public education? How do local districts raise revenues? **// //** Question #2: **// //** Discuss the problem of rich and poor schools. Why is it a problem at all? How have states and districts dealt with this issue? **// **// Question #3: //****// List pros and cons of “for-profit” or “McSchools” schools in this country. //** **// Question #4: //** //** What do you think could be done to recruit and retain good teachers? Why is this a problem in poorer schools and what could these schools do to overcome this problem? **//
 * Chapter 10 Activity "Your Opinion"** Read each of the questions posted below. Submit "Your Opinion" below to 3 of these questions. If someone else has responded to that same question, you must write something different or respond to the other posted opinion. Each of your 3 responses must reflect what you read in Chapter 10 to support your opinion and be completed with at least 75 words. Put your name after each of your responses.

//** Question # ** ** 5: ** // //** What is the changing role of the federal government in the administration and funding of public education? What are the problems and possibilities with more involvement of the federal government in education? **//

//** Question #6: **// //** Will state testing improve student learning? Why or why not? Do you think that NCLB will improve education in the United States? Why? or Why not? **//

Sarah Bond 2.) I believe having rich and poor schools is unfortunately inevitable. The main problem with rich and poor schools is the rich schools usually supplement their annual operations budget with their local funds, therefore they are able to have better schools, more qualified teachers, and more up to date equipment for the students. The poor schools are not typically able to have such well-kept schools, good salaries for teachers, and a multitude computers and other technologic equipment. This allows the wealthy schools to remain wealthy, and the poor schools to continue to get worse. States and districts have tried to help with this issue by granting state supplements to the poorer school districts, voucher plans, and for-profit schools have become more common in the past twenty years. However, it is said that these problems will still persist even with some of the solutions stated above until there is some sort of universal equity finance reform.

3.) "for-profit" (privatization) schools: Pros: 1. Individuals are able to make choices for their shcool, versus the government mandating what is good for every school. 2. Typically with privaitaization comes increasesd compettition between other scchools. 3. Private schools do not deal with politics such as tenure, therefore are unaffected by "political promises".

Cons: 1. There is federal funding going to private schools, which reduces the money that goes to public schools. 2. The smaller or newer the school is, the easier it is to be shut down.

6.) I do not believe state testing improves student learning because the teacher is solely focused on teaching what she absolutley must. State tests take all of the fun out of teaching and learning because it no longer is fun to teach certain curriculum, but it is a must, otherwise it looks like the teacher has failed at his/her job. If teachers had more flexibitliity in the curriculum, studnets would be more likely to enjoy school. I do think that NCLB will improve education in the U.S. because it has proven education methods, more freedom for states and communities, and more choices for parents. Under the NCLB, if a school does not show progress from its students, then services such as free tutoring are administered.

Sarah Bond