It is clear that No Child Left Behind and standardized testing has been a big flop in America for years. The current system is focused on cramming facts down student’s throats in an effort to get them to memorize as much as possible. Not only does this turn many students off to education in a big way, it is becoming more and more evident that this is indeed an inferior way of teaching students and that there is much to be done. Wagner illuminates these issues and more in his book The Global Achievement Gap Chapter three. Every one of our 50 states in the US has had different standards and practices when it comes to educating our children. Every one of these states has been perpetuating obsolete notions of academic rigor (Wagner 125). Our education system in this country is severely outdated and in need of a drastic overhaul. “According to a recent study sponsored by the Partnership for 21st Century Skills, “80 percent of voters say that the things students need to learn today are different than 20 years ago. And almost nine in 10 voters (88 percent) believe 21st century skills can and should be part of the curriculum” (Wagner 125). If there is such agreement on these issues, then what is with the educational gridlock we are seeing all over the country? A big part of it has to do with political and financial issues. Wagner believes that financial conservatives are holding our states’ testing system hostage as well as possibly student futures (Wagner 125). As an educator just entering the field, I vow to embrace change and to engage students in meaningful lessons that will not only prepare them for college but also for life. It is the dawn of a new era in education. Which side are you on?
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May 2015
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