Federal Researchers Find Lower Standards in Schools - NYTimes.com

A new federal study shows that nearly a third of the states lowered their academic proficiency standards in recent years, a step that helps schools stay ahead of sanctions under the No Child Left Behind law. But lowering standards also confuses parents about how children’s achievement compares with those in other states and countries.

via www.nytimes.com

Not encouraging.

Comments

[Bob D]

Hi Don:

I am confused.
All these years, I believed that once the standards were set by each state (kind of like letting the foxes hold the key to the hen house) they were cast in stone. Now I learn that the bar can be raised or lowered by those who are supposed to be overseeing the standards-no matter how high or low they are.

I am surprised that the educators are not protesting, but then again they might be the foxes or should I say those we read about in "THE CONSPIRACY OF IGNORANCE' On second thought, perhaps I should be surprised that we are not hearing howls of protest from the parents and public who are constantly dithering about the poor education our future depends on.

John Wille--talk about prioritizing!!!

Folks, am I missing something here???

Bob D

[David]

Talk about lowering standards: in the wake of possible re-election defeat, Nassau County Exec Tom Suozzi is proposing a county takeover of schools -- becasue he's tired of being blamed for high property taxes. On top of that, Suffolk County Exec Steve Levy is proposing that the appointment of school district superintendents be subject to approval by the voters.

Put these two ideas together -- and you won't have to be nit picking about standards -- they'll drop like a rock!

Frankly, I'd rather go full bore privatization than even contemplate the prospect of a county takeover of schools.

Looks like we're going to have some fun over the next few months leading up to school budget votes.

[David]

Here's a link to a Newsday Article about the Suozzi and Levy proposals: http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/suozzi-wants-control-of-schools-wins-criticism-1.1573128

[Wyatt Cadley]

Thanks David for posting the link. I am generally a Tom Suozzi fan, but this is a horrible idea. Although, his opponent’s idea of reducing “education costs by creating one legal services department for all districts” is somewhat compelling. I wonder if this idea is practical or has any chance of being implemented in Westchester. Thanks- Wyatt

[David]

Wyatt,

I would have to peel the onion on the legal services department concept -- not sure how that would work. But the notion of shared services is getting some traction. My problem is that our BOCES (not yours) offers services at prices that are higher than if we just cobble together our own consortium. The devil is always in the details.

[Brent Hailpern]

I thought we could pick and choose which BOCES services to "buy" - no?

[David]

You can pick and choose -- but once you join a BOCES -- you can't get out --kind of like the Roach Motel....

[Brent Hailpern]

David - right...I remember that restriction.

[Robert T Dixon]

Brent-didn't we deal with two-the Westchester group and then another out on Long Island that did our demographics. I did not know we were (are) stuck with them forever. I certainly don't remember us being given the opportunity to participate in their governance-something we were allowed to do in a very limited way with the Westchester group.

Bob D

[Brent Hailpern]

Joining a BOCES cannot be undone. Buying a services from another BOCES is on a contract basis. At least, that is how I remember it.

[Robert T Dixon]

Thanks!

Bob D

[Craig Parker]

So much time, money and effort is put into discussion of educational standards. The problem is that the standards test everything except what is really important -the integrity of our students.

The child whom we teach to become a financial wiz, who then uses his genius to commit fraud or destroy peoples business or lives, was not properly educated.

Do we teach ethics in the KL Schools; it may not be a bad idea to have required ethics starting in grade 3 or 4 and continuing through high school graduation.

[Brent Hailpern]

Craig - interesting idea. Who would you trust to define an ethics curriculum, especially at the lower grades?

I know there are standard courses on scientific ethics, but those at best could be taught at the HS level.

[Craig Parker]

Brent:

I would suspect that the District could put together a curriculum without much difficulty. It would teach children about honesty, cheating, respect for other children, respect for our differences, bullying, doing the right thing because it is right, not because someone is watching or you might get caught if you do otherwise. There must be numerous stories for differing age levels that teach by example, which then could be discussed with younger children.

[Brent Hailpern]

Craig - maybe you are right. Given the fine line between ethics and religion, I bet it would either be controversial or so watered down that it would be meaningless.

Sorry to be such a pessimist.

Brent

[Robert T Dixon]

Hi all:

As you can see, it is being done at the college level, but like Brent suggests at the secondary level it could be a slippery slope.

Bob D

Davidson dedicates its new Vann Center for Ethics

Posted on 17 November 2009.

Jim (left) and Lee Vann, with Davidson College President Tom Ross at Monday's dedication of the new Vann Center for Ethics. (Bill Giduz photo)

Jim (left) and Lee Vann, with Davidson College President Tom Ross at Monday's dedication of the new Vann Center for Ethics. (Bill Giduz photo)
SOURCE: Davidson College

Davidson College dedicated its new Vann Center for Ethics on Monday with thanks to the donors who made it possible, and a restatement of its importance to the curriculum. A crowd of about 75 members of the college family gathered for the ceremonies outside Eumenean Hall, whose three ground floor rooms now house the new college initiative.

And Monday night, National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell spoke and answered questions about ethics and moral behavior in a session at Duke Family Peformance Hall.

Established with a gift from college alumnus Jim Vann ‘50 and his wife, Lee, the Vann Center is an interdisciplinary initiative to bring focus to ethical decision-making and integrity of action, and promote rigorous inquiry and moral reflection on local and global issues. Jim Vann is a lifetime member of Davidson’s Board of Visitors, and in 2000 he received the college’s Distinguished Alumnus Award. He chairs the board of Rea Magnet Wire Company, the world’s second largest producer of wire and other electrical wire products. A 1950 graduate of Davidson, he had a 36-year career with Alcoa before acquiring Rea from Alcoa in 1992.

Remarks by Davidson President Tom Ross opened the dedication, while the keynote speaker was Davidson President Emeritus Bobby Vagt, who initiated conversations with the Vanns that led to their commitment to endow the program. Jim Vann responded to Vagt’s remarks, saying, “The world needs people who care about the ethical implications of decisions in their lives and their work. Colleges like Davidson that care about preparing students for leadership and service in the world-are critical to shaping the discussion around what it means to always try to do the right thing.”

Vann and his wife then unveiled a plaque that will be installed beside the door to the center. The college also displayed schematic drawings of plans for landscaping and a low wall that will better highlight the entrance’s center.

Vann Center Director David Perry met earlier in the afternoon with members of the Vann Center’s advisory board to update them on activities since the facility opened last summer.

GOODELL SPEAKS

Roger Goodell

Roger Goodell
At 7 p.m., following the dedication, Perry engaged in a public conversation in Duke Family Performance Hall with National Football League Commissioner Roger Goodell.

Following brief remarks and a few questions from Perry, Goodell answered questions from members of the audience for about an hour that covered a wide range of issues faced by the NFL in particular, and professional sports in general.

The speech and Q&A were covered in Street & Smith’s Sports Business Daily, which reported that one of the burning questions at the session focused on athletic head injuries and the ethical behavior of team doctors and coaches. ““I think our coaches understand that the doctors make the decisions,” Mr. Goodell said. “But the coaches and doctors have to be aware of it.” Read the full report, CLICK HERE>

[Marianne Flayhan]

I haven't posted in a while, but here is a novel thought...maybe parents should be responsible for teaching their children ethics at home! Because this society has watered down the importance of religion, any religion, we have "ethics" issues. Perhaps there should be a curriculum for parents who don't let their children fail and learn life's lessons, who fight their children's fights, and don't let them suffer consequences for their actions. Novel...isn't it?

[Brent Hailpern]

Marianne - wow, you must be some crazy radical! Imagine expecting parents to take responsibility for their children :-)

[Robert T Dixon]

Marianne:

Double WOW! What a pipe dream.

The duties of the nuclear family have changed. Many have been dumped in the lap of the educators.

Ethics taught at school-too early. Perhaps in a decade or so.

Bob D
As Brent says: sorry to be such a pessimist.

Bob D