NCLB and Special Education on "King of the Hill"

I just watched the new King of the Hill which made fun of No Child Left Behind, standardized tests and special education. I know it is a comedy show, and you can expect some inaccuracies, but I can't help but feeling a little pissed off at just how many. I understand making fun of NCLB, and I have no problems of making fun of special education per se (I don't think it isn't so taboo that it shouldn't be touched). But apparently according to Hill, special education is used by principals to put poor test takers into a separate classroom to work on preschool activities (and take field trips), so they don't have to take standardized tests and lower test scores. Oh, and the parents have no say whatsoever in their children's SPED placements. Can't SOMEONE in Hollywood give at least a semi-accurate portrayal of what special education is actually like in this country today. I realize there are bigger problems in the world, and I still think King of the Hill is a great show. But this just irked me a little. Oh well.

The Issue of Teacher Training (and How it relates to me)

I realize that I am about a week and a half late in responding to this post, but I have to address this. Eduwonk recently posted a piece dealing with the subject of "traditional teacher training" vs. more alternative training methods. I have to say that I am a little confused by what the author of this post is trying to say:

"It’s not that [teacher] training doesn’t matter, but training on the job does seem to make a lot more sense than the traditional education school approach."

I guess I don't know how a lot of states do it, but is the author saying that traditional teaching programs don't bother with actual classroom time? Is it generally an either/or, meaning either go through a training program period, or skip training and go right into the classroom? Why not a combination of both? That is what I am currently doing (it is required in the state of Missouri). The past couple of years, I have been doing nothing but taking education classes, and in a couple of months, I am about to start working directly inside an actual classroom (student teaching/field experience).

Unless he is saying that "traditional teacher programs" do require classroom experience, but that isn't working either. If that is the case, than this really scares me:

"In general the evidence from methodologically solid studies is not encouraging in terms of the value of traditionally prepared teachers being more effective relative to those coming through other routes."

So, if what I am in is a "traditional" teacher training, am I essentially waisting my time? Is my program doing me very little good other than helping me get certification? I have to say that my training so far has given me a lot more confidence in my ability to enter a classroom and teach (certainly more confidence than before I started in my program).

I understand the current trend of looking for new and radical ways of doing things in education, and I am certainly not against that (we do need a major paradigm shift in education). But I also worry that more traditional methods might be labeled as obsolete, and thrown away. Certainly, traditional teaching programs (like, I suppose, the one I am in) still holds some merit and credibility. Perhaps I am just hoping that my current program is actually going to help me be a better teacher.

Even more speculation

The AP is reporting a list of potential list of cabinet positions, including Education Secretary. Their potential nominees includes Colin Powell (which I have already mentioned in another post), Former North Carolina Governor Jim Hunt, Arne Duncan (the chief executive of Chicago public schools), and Inez Tenenbaum (the former superintended of South Carolina public schools).

I will throw out my own three names: Linda Darling-Hammond, Michael Johnston, and Christopher Edley. All three were education advisers to Obama during the primaries. Whenever one looks at potential appointments to anything, always check out the advisers.

Problems with line spacing

My apologizes to readers who find problems with the line spacing in this blog (i.e. too many spaces between paragraphs or paragraphs bunched together). I try to properly space out my paragraphs but there is some glitch with Blogger that screws with them.

My First Movie Review

As I have said before, I am a huge movie buff. However, I have not had the real opportunity to write about any movies yet. I have decided that (admittedly for my own enjoyment), I am going to start to writing up my own movie reviews. Sometimes, I may write a review for a new release. Sometimes, I will go back to an older film I have never seen. Sometimes I will even write a review for a film I haven't seen for a while, but saw recently again. I have decided to use the ever-popular, but still reliable 4 star rating system in my reviews.

For my first movie review, I will be discussing a romantic comedy that was recently put out in the theaters. I hope my review is done with the amount of class and sophistication that a film of this caliber deserves. I am reviewing . . .

Zack and Miri Make a Porno (IMDB info found here)

This is the latest film by writer, director, and Silent Bob himself, Kevin Smith. It is about two longtime friends, played by Seth Rogen and Elizabeth Banks, who live together in an old apartment in Pittsburgh. Neither one makes a lot of money, and what they do make is usually wasted on unnecessary crap on the Internet (like a flashlight with a vagina on it that men use to pleasure themselves with). When the two attend their High School reunion, Banks's character hits on an old High School crush, who turns out to be gay. His character's boyfriend, a gay porn star, is played hilariously by Justin Long. Long's character likes to speak in a deep voice, and name some of his own films that have very graphic titles (which I will not name here.) The gay porn star is by far the most memorable character in the entire movie.

When Rogen's and Bank's characters have their water and electricity shut off, they suddenly find themselves desperately in need of more cash. After realizing that they have no dignity, and no living relatives to shame, they grow inspiration from Justin Long's character and decide to make a porn movie. Both characters get financing by one of Rogen's coworkers at a coffee shop, played wonderfully by Craig Robinson. They then hire a camera man (played by Kevin Smith regular Jeff Anderson), assemble a cast of porn-star wannabes, and of course, hilarity ensues.

"Zack and Miri" is not Smith's best film nor his funniest. But it is still very good, and very funny. It is perhaps his filthiest film, and that is saying something (who can forget the donkey show in "Clerks 2"). This movie is filled with adult references, graphic language, "frat boy" humor, and of course, sex. There are at least two scenes in particular that will make your jaw drop in shock and disgust (they are really funny if you're not too grossed out).

But while there is certainly filth, there is also heart, which is also a part of every Kevin Smith film. Without giving away too much, "Zack and Miri" tackles the tricky subject of sex between friends, and the common misconception that it will end up being nothing but meaningless fun. Kevin Smith fans, and fans of adult comedy in general, will enjoy this film.

*** (3 out of 4 stars)

SPOILER ALERT: You get to see Jason Mewes fully naked (yes, Jay of "Jay and Silent Bob"), and he is naked in very graphic detail (even more than you might think). I was certainly not expecting to see that. Fellas, be forewarned.

Inspiration for a New Generation

Here is another article on the reaction to Obama's victory in a largely African-American school, this time in Brooklyn. It discuses the reaction of 6th graders at the Eagle Academy of Young Men, which was founded by the group One Hundred Black Men of New York City. Here is an expert:

"[Academy President David C. Banks] said Mr. Obama’s victory offered minority children a new sense of possibility.

'It raises a level of hope for young men of color who I think have been besieged by a culture of low expectations,' he said in an interview. 'Part of our model at One Hundred Black Men is ‘Boys will be what they see,’ and it’s hard for kids to dream about things they’ve never seen.'"

Dumbest Generation Ever?

I know one of the major beliefs today in education is that we are raising the dumbest, most uninformed generation in the history of our country. But according to USA Today, this is not the case:

"As the results of the election sank in Wednesday, teachers in high school classrooms across the USA found themselves debriefing a group of young people who are, by all accounts, more informed and civic-minded than any in recent memory. They came of age after 9/11, after all."

I understand the temptation to question the intelligence of youth, as so many have done throughout history. But this article gives me hope, and reassures my skepticism of "the dumbest generation". Another part of the article I like follows the quote above:

"But they're also less obsessed with race than their parents and more cynical about the world and the ability of government to change it for the better."

The matter of their color-blindness is a positive, but also not that surprising. As far as being more cynical goes, this might actually be a positive. Being a civic-minded generation is good, but doesn't necessarily translate into civic-action. Cynicism, by-itself, isn't good because it might only lead to apathy. But civic-mindedness AND cynicism together can (and I believe will) translate into a passion to try to change things in our government, and the world, "for the better". Perhaps this is what we saw with this past election. Here is another part of the article that helps explain the high voter turnout among youth, which voted overwhelmingly for Obama:

"For much of the past 20 years, school districts nationwide have pushed parents to hold off registering their children for kindergarten until they're 6 years old. In many cases, schools even prohibit parents from enrolling 5-year-olds if their birthday falls late in the year.

As a result, perhaps as many as half of the nation's 3.2 million high school seniors on Nov. 4 were eligible to vote, making discussions in high school classes more urgent."

Think twice before branding out nation's youth as stupid or ignorant about what is going on in the world. It seems they have already started to make their mark.

The Passing of Proposition A (Missouri)

One issue from this past election that I should probably address if the passage of Proposition A here in Missouri. For those of you who don't live in Missouri, Prop A was a ballot initiative that will:

• repeal the current individual maximum loss limit for gambling;
• prohibit any future loss limits;
• require identification to enter the gambling area only if necessary to establish that an individual is at least 21 years old;
• restrict the number of casinos to those already built or being built;
• increase the casino gambling tax from 20% to 21%;
• create a new specific education fund from gambling tax proceeds generated as a result of this measure called the "Schools First Elementary and Secondary Education Improvement Fund";
• and require annual audits of this fund?

One might think that, since I am going into education that I would have automatically supported it. The truth of the matter was that I couldn't make up my mind. On the on hand, I am very excited that it may bring over $100 million to public school funding in Missouri. The schools will definitely need it, as they always do. But there were definitely problems that I could not overlook. For starters, the law will essentially set up a monopoly for existing casinos in the state of Missouri, and not allow other Casinos to be built on the Missouri River that might economically benefit different towns. In addition, the money raised for schools is expected to benefit more rural school districts instead of larger ones (i.e. Kansas City, St. Louis). While rural districts deserve more funding, the larger cities are just as deserving, if not more so. Let me be clear that whatever doubts I had about the proposition had nothing to do with loss-limits or the moral questions of gambling itself. I have no problem with taxing vice to benefit public schools, and if someone blows all of their money gambling, that is their own fault.

In the end, I left the Prop A part of my ballot blank because I believe that when someone truly cannot make up their mind about something in an election (as I couldn't here), their is no point in forcing yourself to take a side. I apologize to anyone who is offended by my indecisiveness. Now I kind of know what it is like to be one of those undecided voters you see on cable news panels that seem so damn clueless. I would like to think of myself as more informed than then though.

More Speculation

Huffington Post is throwing around Caroline Kennedy as a potential Secretary of Education.

The Day after in D.C. Public Schools

The Washington Post writes on the different discussions going on in classrooms all over the Washington, D.C. area about the election. I am sure these types of discussions were going on in classrooms all over the country, but it is significant in D.C. because of it's large African-American population, not to mention it's the nation's capitol. A quote from one student:

"Today, I said the Pledge of Allegiance for the first time in three years," said Grant Durando, 17, an Obama supporter and a student in Justin Brown's Advanced Placement government class at Potomac Falls High. "I said it because I'm proud -- that our country can go from killing millions of people on slave ships to one that puts a black man in office. I think I meant it for the first time, too."

The picture comes from the same article.

Who will be the next the next Secretary of Education?

The speculation has been going on even before election night, and continues to go on. Possible names I have found so far include NYC School Chancellor Joel Klein, DC School Chancellor Michelle Rhee, Kansas Governor Kathleen Sebelius, and even Colin Powell.

ABC and Politico has speculated three other potential names: University of Oklahoma President and former Senator David Boren, Former New Jersey Governor Tom Kean (R-NJ), and Rep. George Miller (D-CA).

My favorite suggestion so far has been . . . William Ayers. HA! That comes from conservative icon Phyllis Schlafly. She wrote that before the election, so I wonder whether or not she actually believes that or if she was trying to put more fear into the conservative base. Perhaps a little of both.

An Open Letter to Obama on Education

This was written by Patrick Riccards of Educommunications Blog. It is insightful and highly detailed.

A Memorable Image from Election Night

I have not exactly been a fan of Jesse Jackson these past few years when it comes to racial issues and publicity, and I think he did not do Obama any favors during the campaign. However, this image of him at the rally in Chicago last night is something that really got to me, as it probably got to many Americans. Remember, Jackson grew up in the segregated South, he was active in the Civil Rights movement, and he was there when MLK was killed. Like many African Americans, he has gone from living in segregation to having an African American elected to the White House. Yes Reverend, this is really happening.

The picture comes from The Guardian.

Election Reaction

Picture from Huffington Post

Well, to say that I am feeling ecstatic is an understatement. Truth be told, I am probably more proud than I have ever been to be an American today.

History has been made on a number of fronts. First, of course, is the fact that he have elected an African-American to the White House. It isn't just a major racial barrier that has been torn down, but it is a sign of hope to young children from culturally diverse backgrounds all over America that they can become anything they want to. Second, it is a sign that our reputation and popularity around the world will be restored to what it was before the Bush administration. Thirdly, and perhaps most importantly, it is a bold move away from the past eight years and a sign that, yes, we are ready for change. I realize that what I am about to say is contradictory to my agnostic beliefs but:

God Bless America!

Now, as Jed Bartlett would say, "What's Next?"

The Next President of the United States

Photograph Courtesy of Barack Obama


YES WE DID!

Schools and Elections

Alexander Russo points out how great it is that many voting stations are located inside public schools. I agree, and would add that this is especially true since our schools are a function of government and the people who run the districts are, in many places, there as a result of the democratic process. To me, elections inside public schools is wonderful symbol of American democracy.

To fellow Barack Obama Supporters

As encouraging as the polls are, don't let that stop you from voting. Don't for a second think "Obama is going to win anyways, so why bother?" That kind of thinking isn't just lazy, it's also dangerous. Don't get complacent, this country needs YOU to go out and VOTE! It is your civic duty, and perhaps the most important right you have as an American. This country cannot afford 4 more years of Republican control because people got too comfortable. Change is needed, but it will not happen unless you stand up and do what is necessary.

GO BARACK THE VOTE!!!

GO VOTE!!!

Picture coutesy of People Magazine.

I have just finished voting with my fiance today, and now I am encouraging everyone who is eligable, and who hasn't voted yet, to go out and vote. It doesn't matter how long the lines are, what your schedule looks like, or whatever lame excuse you may have. Unless it is a life and death emergency, and you are eligable, there is no reason you shouldn't go out and vote. People have died for this right. It is perhaps the most important right we as Americans have. Polling hours across the country can be found here. If you have problems at your voting stations, contact either your local or state election officials, or go to the media and expose these problems. And remember, when you step in the booth, think long and hard about what YOU want. It is YOUR choice, and YOUR right as an America.

NOW GO AND VOTE!

An Analysis of the Candidates on Education

When I originally decided to write this analysis, I wanted to do in-depth, heavily researched look at each individual policy proposal. Unfortunately, I am not an education policy expert or authority figure, and I have not had the time to do the extensive research on this that I would have liked to (I did do some research though). I hope you will forgive me, and I promise that in the future (assuming this blog is still around at the next election), I will do a better, more in depth analysis.

Basically, there isn't that much different between the candidates on education, but Obama is slightly better on the issues. Both believe in charter schools, but McCain falls more in line with the school choice crowd. Both believe in merit pay, but Obama believes more in professional development. Both like No Child Left Behind and believe greater measurement of progress, but Obama actually wants to put more funding into implementation. Beyond that, they are mostly the same on education. The only issue that there seems to be a real difference on is early childhood education. McCain believes some money should go to certain "Centers of Excellence" for the better performing Head Start Programs (rather than helping the entire Head Start program). Obama wants to put $10 billion towards voluntary, universal preschool. When it comes to education, Obama has my vote (he has my vote anyways, but only a little when it comes to education).

Ultimately, both candidates want to put more funding into education (although Obama wants to put a little more). But here is the sad truth the way I see it: whoever is the next President of the United States, education will not get the amount nearly the attention by the federal government as it should.

Before 9/11, it looked like education was going to be the top domestic priority, maybe the top overall priority, in the country (granted, with a bad piece of legislation). After 9/11, we had to adjust out priorities more towards security and foreign policy (and rightly so at the time). But since then, we haven't gone back, and our public schools have not gotten the kind of attention it deserves form the federal government. And it doesn't look like it will anytime soon. Not as long as we have a growing deficit, a devastating tax cut for the upper class, and two wars (one of which should have never been started in the first place).

The only way our government can ever really help education in the United States is to realign our priorities. This means realigning the way we spend money (i.e. get out of Iraq, cut the military budget in a reasonable manner, get rid of the Bush tax cuts). More of our money should be geared not just towards funding and reforming reduction, but funding and reforming other programs (which thus carries over to education). I have written about this before, and will continue to write about it in the future. To borrow from James Carville a little: It's Society Stupid (not just education). Until we figure that out, our education system is destined to continue to fail us.

For more on education positions by the candidates visit Obama's website, McCain's website, the New York Times, and CNN.

White Supremacists support . . . Obama?

I find it hard to believe this is a real story, but I have yet to find anything to contradict it. Esquire is reporting that 3 out of 4 major white supremacists figures are supporting Barack Obama. In addition, 1 major black nationalist figure is supporting McCain. All I can do is laugh.