Spunky Homeschool

American Competitiveness Initiative

Feb. 7, 2006 at 11:24 AM

Politics

One of high points lauded by some in a recent appropriations bill passed by Congress was that it slashed the Department of Education budget. Many of those cuts were in student loans and vocational type training. This is obviously a win for fiscal responsibility. I'm sure the cuts were necessary and I'm glad the programs are going. However, what was included in this reduction has the potential for becoming a bigger problem down the road. According to an article in the The New York Times,
Education Secretary Margaret Spellings said the president's commitment to education remained strong. She said most of the programs slated to end were small, with half costing under $25 million a year. Some would be replaced by larger initiatives that would serve the same purposes, but bear his stamp and reflect his priorities, she said. (emphasis added)
One of those larger initiatives include the American Competitiveness Initiative which includes provisions for education.
To prepare our citizens to compete more effectively in the global marketplace, the American Competitiveness Initiative proposes $380 million in new Federal support to improve the quality of math, science, and technological education in our K-12 schools and engage every child in rigorous courses that teach important analytical, technical, and problem-solving skills. Building on the successes of the No Child Left Behind Act, the American Competitiveness Initiative will raise student achievement in math and science through testing and accountability, providing grants for targeted interventions, and developing curricula based on proven methods of instruction.
Note the term "rigorous".  That word seems to be appearing in a lot of political discourse these days. The new three R's of learning appear to be rigor, relevance, and relationships. (Oregon is just one of many states adopting this standard. I also posted about MI and FL as well.)
 
Along with this new intitiative,  money is given for "targeted interventions and to develop curricula based on proven methods of instruction". So while some look at this as a way to decrease the size of the department of education it also looks as though the plan is to more heavily involve the federal government in the development of curricula and standards. The new appropriations seem to be one step in that direction. Many states seem to be falling perfectly in line. The reason? Quoting from the Department of Education website ,
Linking federal education funding to meaningful results and outcomes is essential to the creation of a culture of achievement in America’s education system.
The bedrock of America's competitiveness is a well-educated and skilled workforce.
Ugh! The whole purpose of education from the President on down seems to be to do well on a test, to get a good job, to compete in the global economy. That's not my goal and my children are not a "workforce". The further we get from parents determining the goal and deciding what our children are taught the further we depart from a society where "we the people" are forming a more perfect union.

Read more on the American Competitiveness Initiative

Related Tags: , , , , , ,

5 Comments and Trackbacks

posted by kindredspiritMom on Feb. 8, 2006 at 12:42 AM

HI! I am a friend of Judy Beer and live in Livonia. My comments on Jen's blog were just tongue in cheek. I hope I didn't offend too many Michiganders. The sun was actually shining today so it wasn't too bad :) Judy told me about your blog and that's how I wound up on HSB. I love to read your posts.
Blessings,
Michele

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Feb. 8, 2006 at 12:45 AM

You didn't offend me. When you live in Michigan your used to hearing complaints about the weather. Welcome to HSB. Any friend of Judy's is a friend of mine.

posted by on Feb. 8, 2006 at 12:56 AM

It's good to "meet" you. Judy is a dear friend and I keep starting to call her and then remember where she is. Have you seen their Korea blog? (www.beerministry.blogspot.com). My husband and I moved here 14 years ago. We met the Beers when Katie and Claire were toddlers. The character of their children was proabably the greatest determining factor in our choosing homeschooling. I have to say, even though I miss the ocean (I grew up in NY) our area is a terrific place to homeschool. Hope we can meet in real life sometime. Have a good night!

Edited by kindredspiritMom on Feb. 7, 2006 at 9:57 PM

posted by spunkyhomeschool on Feb. 8, 2006 at 10:14 AM

My daughter and I helped create that blog for Judy. It would be fun to get together. I'll be speaking in Farmington Hills at the curriculum fair. Maybe we can meet up then.

posted by kindredspiritMom on Feb. 8, 2006 at 11:41 PM

It is a small world and an even smaller Homeschool world! You and your daughter did a great job on the Beer's blog. It's been great to be able to see and "hear" their adventures. I would love to meet you at the book fair. I'll take your workshop whatever it's on! Could you and your daughter teach an HTML for dummies?
With joy,
Michele

Post a comment!