In reading the introductory piece of the GOP Manifesto regarding their plan for reforming K-12 education, I am appalled at the ideas they are presenting. As a retired educator, I can tell you first hand that public education is busy doing more with less than ever before. The only reason America's test scores lag behind other developed countries is simply that we test all students. We don't weed out the special education students or the ones destined for vocational programs and only test the college bound students like many other countries do. The GOP reform plan wants to get rid of Federal requirements and give state more freedoms. So, instead of a National plan for education, we would end up with 50 different plans. Does that make sense?
"A more expansive choice agenda would allow states to use a larger share of federal funds to take steps like expanding online options, funding innovative programs like education savings accounts and Louisiana-style “course choice” programs, and accommodating home-schooled students." That's right = use Federal funds to pay for home-school programs!
They also want to shift monies away for professional development. But they say that they are NOT anti-teacher. Yet many conservatives admit they are against teacher unions.
This K-12 plan is more of the same. Deregulate, decentralize, privatize and turn education over to corporations.
If you don't believe me read what one GOP lawmaker has to say about public education: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/14/andrew-brenner-education-socialism_n_4961201.html
If you are interested, you can read the GOP reform plan here: http://ygnetwork.org/k-12-education-reform-give-next-generation-chance-thrive/
But whatever you do, remember to VOTE FOR DEMOCRATS on November 4.
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