Stolen Whitehouse Blog

Some Thoughts On “Duncan Threatens to Alter No Child Left Behind”

I’ve taught affluent, middle class teaching and education students in poverty. Students from affluent families are always the best achievers. Many of those affluent families I’ve taught come from a private school where the school receives less per student than what the state pays for each person in public school. Why? Value for education.

Education is best when teacher, student and families value their education. When a student really wants the information and the families are supporting them completely, it is nearly teacher-proof. The students do well regardless of the teacher. When the teacher is the only one to value the education, educating is an uphill climb. You can lead a child to a book but you can’t make him read.

None of the reforms in this article really change education. It just moves it around. Earlier uphill education for preschoolers. Instead of uphill education for the last 2 years of high school, let’s move it to uphill education in trade school. Come on!

How about real change… Let’s reform NCLB to promote value for education to all economic classes. Stop making us assume it is valuable and then provide it for free. Start rewarding communities that work hard to change hearts.