Dept. of education accomplishments

[Maxmars]

@ANNEE

You bring up a very valid point which leads to an observation fueling a question that never seems to get answered...

"We" didn't start the fire.

Not all "initiatives" and undertakings are ill-conceived, and each has its measure of success...  even if only for virtue signal marketing... Of course, it's never the success promised... and somehow, we keep 'listening' to the planners.

Often the intent is good, conscientious people prevail... for a time at least.  But let's be honest,  these project all operate with a critical flaw.... because they are "political" half of the people who could guarantee it's success will not even try... if the 'plan' is associated with an antagonist player.

But in the end, this is irrelevant - because despite the media gyrations, glitz and partisan marketing... this isn't a new problem... it started when someone decided our schools need to 'churn out' factory workers.... (the Prussian Educational Model, unless I am mistaken.)

Society "fell" for the posturing of popular speakers... Editorials, educators consensus... "Let us teach your children." was the offer... never explaining what it really was they were teaching.  Perhaps even they didn't see it... but I suspect most didn't look.

I always want to pull this back to people... what's the difference between a fool and a victim?

The institution becomes so... "clinically detached" as if they were aliens among the people they serve...
hmm...

[ANNEE]

[sup]Children should learn what they want to learn, and what their parents want them to learn, and what the professional educator thinks is most useful to themselves and society.

Personally I am all for the 3 'r's as well as bringing back Logic in schools as well as elocution/diction/communication.[/sup]

Yes. 

And they need to learn what applies to their real future. 

I tell mine “you are your best product”.

[sahgwa]

@quintessentone

With all respect... you lost me at United Nations...

I'll spare you my diatribe... (because that will be to everyone's relief! )

Ultimately analysis based upon modeling has proven inadequate to address the fundamental issues which are the determinants of this idea that "Education" can be "outlined/structured/consistent."  It never has been, and I think it never can be - unless enforced by law.... 

"Law" does not function unless the people under 'it' say "yes." 
Hence crime will never "end" unless "law" does.

I will not be among those who say "The UN says..." means it's "good" for anybody.

(I promise my anti-UN rant would have been epic....
I'm in one of those moods...
a member of my cat family died today.)

Sorry for your loss!!

[ANNEE]

Political for sure. 

I remember when all this testing — competing with other cultures (countries & demographics) happened. 

America (basically new country) was built by strong, independent, adventurers vs Chinese culture. 

Tests on paper don’t really tell a complete story.

[Maxmars]

...
Tests on paper don’t really tell a complete story.

I really think that tests can have great value as an aid to learning...

IF the test is crafted BY the teacher FOR their students specifically.

The establishment took the art out of pedagogy...
in favor of industrial standardization...
(19th century factory worker training.... anybody... anybody...Bhueler?)

[DBCowboy]

As we say goodbye to the Department of Education, I would like to take a moment to list all of its accomplishments over the past 45 years:
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Hmm, I couldn't find any.

Our educational test scores have decreased since the inception of the Dept. of Ed

[Harte]

I taught high school mathematics in an urban setting for 15 years. I'm here to tell you that No Child Left Behind not only didn't work, but actually ruined the education of a couple of generations of students.
It caused school districts to focus on the test scores or risk being turned over to the state, and the entire faculty and administration replaced, and required all students to take all courses that were state tested, an ignorant idea.

Back when I was in school, there was a robust vocational education department and students could learn accounting, welding, carpentry, plumbing, auto repair, drafting and electrical work.
We had a work-release program where students attended school for half the day and went to work (on the job training) the other half.
Some students in those classes went on to make 6 figure incomes in the trades, never going to college.
It's literally stupid to force every child to take Algebra 2, Geometry, Biology, etc. Everyone is NOT the same.

Harte

[ANNEE]

I really think that tests can have great value as an aid to learning...

IF the test is crafted BY the teacher FOR their students specifically.

The establishment took the art out of pedagogy...
in favor of industrial standardization...
(19th century factory worker training.... anybody... anybody...Bhueler?)

Oh yes — aptitude tests for benefit of the student. 

And as an aide in helping the teacher help the student. 

Not for political competition.