Obama Education Reform Could Upset Unions, Democrats And Republicans
President Barack Obama’s long promised education reform plans could set the stage for yet another bruising political battle since it contains things that unions, teachers, Democrats and Republicans could oppose:
President Barack Obama embraced merit pay for teachers Tuesday in spelling out a vision of education that will almost certainly alienate union backers.
A strategy that ties teacher pay to student performance has for years been anathema to teachers’ unions, a powerful force in the Democratic Party. These unions also are wary of charter schools, nontraditional educational systems that they believe compete with traditional schools for tax dollars.
Obama, however, also spoke favorably of charter schools, saying that where they work, they should be encouraged.
He did acknowledge in his speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce that his proposals could meet heavy resistance in both political parties.
“Too many supporters of my party have resisted the idea of rewarding excellence in teaching with extra pay, even though we know it can make a difference in the classroom,” he said, delivering the first major education speech of his presidency. “Too many in the Republican Party have opposed new investments in early education, despite compelling evidence of its importance.”
But he argued that a far-reaching overhaul of the nation’s education system is an economic imperative that can’t wait, despite the urgency of the financial crisis and other pressing issues.
“Despite resources that are unmatched anywhere in the world, we have let our grades slip, our schools crumble, our teacher quality fall short, and other nations outpace us,” Obama said. “The relative decline of American education is untenable for our economy, unsustainable for our democracy, and unacceptable for our children. We cannot afford to let it continue. What is at stake is nothing less than the American dream.”
Like most attempts as well as from parts of both political parties that woo those interest groups.
Here’s his speech. What’s notable is that once again he contends that the time for partisan bickering and finger pointing is over. His problem so far seems to be that both parties and their partisans apparently feel that time isn’t over — that the longtime tactics are politically productive…and perhaps more fun than trying to discern the best policy specifics, passing and implementing them:
Here’s how it is playing in the media so far:
–The Washington Post:
President Obama today sharply criticized America’s public school system, and he outlined a strategy to reward good teachers and fire bad ones, establish uniform academic achievement standards and increase spending on the first and final stages of a person’s education.
In a speech to the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, Obama called on teachers unions, state education officials and parents to change a “relative decline of American education” that “is untenable for our economy, unsustainable for our democracy and unacceptable for our children.”
–CNN outlines Obama’s five step program (needs to be read in full).
President Obama outlined an ambitious education agenda on Tuesday that included the suggestion that states and local schools consider longer days and academic years.
“The challenges of a new century demand more time in the classroom,” Obama told the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce in a speech with sweeping goals but few specifics.
The goals include improved early childhood education programs, higher standards in elementary and high schools, better teacher pay and recruitment, and expanded college aid programs.
Obama tied education reform to addressing the economic crisis, saying a better educated workforce will enhance the nation’s long-term prosperity.
USA Today also takes a look at the five areas Obama outlined.
–Los Angeles Times:
President Barack Obama laid out his vision for a 21st century education system this morning, unveiling plans for federal grant programs meant to inspire better performance but also calling on states, schools and parents to take part even where there is no financial incentive.
Obama’s blueprint includes a controversial plan to hike pay for high-performing teachers, as well as money for states that raise student standards, track student progress and cut the drop-out rate.
–AFP:
President Barack Obama on Tuesday refused to temper his ambitious reform drive despite the economic storm, marking his 50th day in office by promising a ‘cradle to career’ overhaul of US education.
Obama invoked the names of great presidents Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt and John Kennedy, to argue that the crisis-wracked United States could not afford to ignore the imperative for daring political reform.
“I know there are some who believe we can only handle one challenge at a time,” Obama said, in a nod to critics who have faulted him for not training his sole attention on the deepening economic crisis.
“They forget that Lincoln helped lay down the transcontinental railroad, passed the Homestead Act, and created the National Academy of Sciences in the midst of civil war.
“Likewise, President Roosevelt didn’t have the luxury of choosing between ending a depression and fighting a war,” Obama told the US-Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
“President Kennedy didn’t have the luxury of choosing between civil rights and sending us to the moon.”
Obama warned US education was leaving young Americans unprepared for the 21st century global economy.
…Having limits on charter schools, including those schools that are performing well, “isn’t good for our children, our economy or our country,” the president said. He signaled recently in his budget message that he hoped to double financing for charter schools eventually….
…. In another proposal sure to be greeted warily by teacher unions, the president renewed his support for a merit-based system of paying educators. “It means treating teachers like the professionals they are, while also holding them more accountable,” the president said. “New teachers will be mentored by experienced ones. Good teachers will be rewarded with more money for improved student achievement, and asked to accept more responsibilities for lifting up their schools.”
In promoting a merit-based system of pay for teachers, which unions dislike because they say it could foster favoritism, the president was following through on positions he took during his campaign — and implicitly laying down a challenge to unions, traditionally reliable supporters of Democratic candidates.
The president said too many people in his party have resisted the idea of “rewarding excellence” with extra pay, while too many Republicans have opposed spending money on early education “despite compelling evidence of its importance.”
“The time for finger-pointing is over. The time for holding ourselves accountable is here,” Mr. Obama said. “What’s required is not simply new investments, but new reforms. It is time to expect more from our students.”
While the overwhelming number of teachers are “doing an outstanding job under difficult circumstances,” states and school districts should be able “to move bad teachers out of the classroom.”
Follow ongoing blog discussion of the educational proposals HERE.
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6 Responses to “Obama Education Reform Could Upset Unions, Democrats And Republicans”
The big problem with merit pay is this: how can you tell the “good teachers” from the “bad teachers” in a systematic and fair way? You can't use test scores, because that encourages every teacher to go teach only the gifted class, who will get awesome scores on their tests regardless of how crappy their teachers are, due to the fact that they are most likely rich, white, well-fed, and have parents that not only help them with their homework every day, but likely also are highly educated themselves. We really need excellent teachers working with the lower students as well; students who are economically disadvantaged, students who may not have English-speaking parents, students who live in areas with a smaller tax-base — don't they need good teachers too? Maybe more? Why, if I'm a good teacher, would I continue to teach the lower-level students who really need me if I can make more money by going down the hall and teaching Calculus to the rich kids? And what if you're a metal shop teacher? Or a PE teacher?
Are we going to use evaluations from the students and/or parents? How many of use hated that teacher in high school that was so hard on us, until the next year when we realized how well they had prepared us for college? And didn't we love the slacker teacher who would just dish with us, gave everyone an A, but essentially wasted our time?
It should also be noted that while many school boards and administrations are extremely supportive of both teachers and students, a lot of them are affected by the same sorts of favoritism and backstabbing as anything else.
How can we talk for merit payments for teachers, when the whole Stimulus package has been undermined by leading Democrats to support illegal aliens stealing jobs.
Many illegal immigrant workers are have taken high paying jobs of tradesman and professionals, not just low income laborers. We now have 6 million unemployed American workers, but a loophole in the stimulus and other plans gives access to illegal labor.
Yet the people who we elected ignore the fact that THE PEOPLE , do not want any more illegal aliens stealing jobs from American Workers. We do not need any more imported cheap professional labor. We already have the “1986 Immigration Control Act” on the books, so we don't need Ted Kennedy lying to us, that their “Will be no more Amnesties.” We need E-Verify enacted now! Not for 5 years—but in perpetuity? Senator Harry Reid blocked E-Verify in the Stimulus, and was supported by his co-conspirators–Pelosi, Robert Menendez, Gutierrez, Feinstein, Senators Levin and Stabenow, Congressman Dingell and anonymous lawmakers, who have no sympathy for the US Workers. They have become subservient to big business welfare. Its a misnomer the US chamber of Commerce, because they are obviously under the rancid influence of foreign governments and multi-national companies. These entities pray like vultures on the US taxpayer, who involuntarily has their taxes used to pay for the financial needs of foreign illegal workers. Hidden grants from the Ford foundation that attracts such organisations as La Raza, Mecha, MALDEF and a whole retinue of ethnocentric delusional entities that are trying to erode our Constitution and Rule of Law.
E-Verify is the most powerful asset we have to halt parasite employers from stealing jobs from Americans. Contractors on construction site seeing an extra dollar they can make from hiring an illegal worker. If we only enforce our immigration laws–threaten company executives with prison, the millions unable to find employment will go home. Visa over-stayers and border jumpers will find it impossible to live here. Help ICE and report suspicious activity in the workplace. Demand E-verify TODAY. Don't procrastinate? Call the Capitol: (202) 224-3121 Call Harry Reid: 202.224.3542 and 202.224.5556 Call President Obama: 202-456-1111.
Seems pretty simple, roro, just evaluate teachers based on how much they raise test scores over a year.
You can use test scores, you just need to change the way tests asses what a student learns. Standards need to be cut back to the three Rs. Instead of multiple choice, tests should be problem solving based and analytical as well as stress comprehension. Test scores would also measure progress as well. Progress made is as important as maintaining high scores. Those already with high scores should be encouraged to maintain them. Those with low scores should be encouraged by the progress they make.
Also I'd like to address the “teaching to the test” comments I've seen around the interwebs. Standards, when applied correctly, do not encourage teaching to the test. As I've said measuring a students ability to problem solve and comprehend and not using multiple choice exams would curb that. But really, why does teaching to the test get such a bad rap. Does anyone accuse the Harvard Law professor of teaching to the test when he teaches his students what he/she believes is essential to complete their class and then tests them on that? No. They call that an Ivy League education.
There is no worry about lack of creativity in the classroom. Standards do not cut out things like history, art, etc. Many “peripheral” subjects provide excellent opportunities for developing comprehension and analysis skills. Nor do standards tie a teachers hands to how they have to teach a class. NBLC aside, proper standards don't tell a teacher how to teach. You can teach any damn way you please, as long as it gets the desired results.
That should also be only one piece of the teacher assessment. A few other indicators should be coupled with test scores. Not too many though, as that would dilute assessments. Standards, assessed from outside the school, prevent teachers from just giving everyone an A to boost their scores. Student and parents evals should be taken with a grain of salt. But they are an integral part of most colleges, so why not at every level?
I'd also say that accountability couple with vouchers you would get a really good indication if schools were performing well or not. Vouchers would also prevent schools from becoming homogenized. Parents could choose schools with good music programs, excellent sports, or other schools that fit children's needs.
America is entrenched in a romantic vision of education. That vision is outdated. It comes from an industrial based society where a high school degree could get you a factory job you'd have for life. You weren't competing for jobs with graduates from any number of foreign nations. Our education system worked well for the 19th and early 20th centuries. We're almost a decade into the 21st century. It's time to take off the rosy glasses, roll up our sleeves, and get to work. This isn't about the adults, it's about the kids.
Question of the day: How many of these anti-immigrant spammers are on the payroll of the company that makes E-Verify?
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