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WLWV Brainstorm Brunch 2010
Additional Notes from Caren Connelly’s Talk:
There is a long tradition in the United States to have education overseen at local and state levels so that what is taught in schools reflects the community’s values. The 10th amendment, which is about states’ rights, addresses this issue. However, it is disingenuous to think that the federal government does not affect the nation’s schools, since schools rely heavily on federal funding.
The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 is up for renewal again. This act specifically prohibits a national curriculum. During the Bush administration, it had been dubbed “No Child Left Behind,” but it was not appropriately funded and there is debate about its current effectiveness. The most recent version deals primarily with establishing standards and a common curriculum.
“Race to the Top” under the Obama administration established a $4 billion pool that states may choose to compete for. The plan includes funding for “innovation” schools, tracking student progress, teacher assessment, and charter schools.
Connelly advises us to “follow the money” for sources of influence over education. For example, there is increased interest in public education partnering with corporations, Connelly feels it is imperative to step back and reflect on what this means, what certain special interests could come into play.
How do we feel about public school funding here in Winchester that involves so many private funds? The Promise Fund paid teachers’ salaries for two years; citizen campaigns paid for playing fields; friends of art and of music provided funds for those activities, and so forth.
On a separate note, Connelly also mentioned a need for increased cultural competence training so that staff and faculty understand and work with families coming into Winchester whose approaches and mores of appropriate behavior are better handled.
- Gloria Legvold