As a product of that education system, you are right on the money. Our major downfall was when we started tying school funding with standardized testing with the class of 1994. My class of 1993 got to take the same tests as a pilot, but were the last generation to receive education that wasn’t largely geared towards those tests (which don’t focus at all on critical thinking).
If you think that’s bad, and you aren’t familiar with how fucked up we are, let me tell you how school is funded in my state (and it varies by state). You would think that taxes from corporations would pay a lot, and they can, in places that have corporations.
However, in rural areas, like most of my state in Ohio it is funded by whatever tax money you can generate in your little county (to go with the money from the feds/state that can be impacted because of that testing). So, since ours have little business, it is largely from people’s property taxes. Well, you would think that is fine, and it could be if people cared about things like education here. But, old people tend to see it as another expense and constantly vote down new levies when more money is needed (you have to ask for a vote when budgets need increased). So, the education system is largely skewed in favor of wealthier areas, areas with business, and of course the people that can afford private school.
It’s a mix. A lot of our buildings and that require a lot of local funds, plus operations, etc… We all get the same base per student from the feds, but vast disparities on filling in the rest based on where you live.
Okay, so does that mean each state can make changes to the curriculum? That doesn’t sound that bad to me… you’re essentially like a continent, and amendments to the curriculum could bring some benefits. But I guess the base standards still apply. The one thing I’d caution against, though, is the downgrading of problem-solving skills.
they can make changes to their curriculum, but if they can’t pass the standardized tests, they risk losing funding (or having the feds come in to run the school). so, most teach largely to the lowest common denominator.
they can make changes to their curriculum, but if they can’t pass the standardized tests, they risk losing funding (or having the feds come in to run the school). so, most teach largely to the lowest common denominator.
Yup pretty bad. Once again, this explains my reasoning in the OP.
As a product of that education system, you are right on the money. Our major downfall was when we started tying school funding with standardized testing with the class of 1994. My class of 1993 got to take the same tests as a pilot, but were the last generation to receive education that wasn’t largely geared towards those tests (which don’t focus at all on critical thinking).
I didn’t know that, and it makes a lot of sense. If true, your input on this aggravates the scenario even more. Thank you for sharing!
If you think that’s bad, and you aren’t familiar with how fucked up we are, let me tell you how school is funded in my state (and it varies by state). You would think that taxes from corporations would pay a lot, and they can, in places that have corporations.
However, in rural areas, like most of my state in Ohio it is funded by whatever tax money you can generate in your little county (to go with the money from the feds/state that can be impacted because of that testing). So, since ours have little business, it is largely from people’s property taxes. Well, you would think that is fine, and it could be if people cared about things like education here. But, old people tend to see it as another expense and constantly vote down new levies when more money is needed (you have to ask for a vote when budgets need increased). So, the education system is largely skewed in favor of wealthier areas, areas with business, and of course the people that can afford private school.
No, I thought basic education was covered by federal taxes. You’re telling me it’s funded at the county level?? WTF?! Why?
Because in a segregated society, that’s how you ensure that poor minorities have shitty schools.
(I am neither joking nor exaggerating, BTW.)
It’s a mix. A lot of our buildings and that require a lot of local funds, plus operations, etc… We all get the same base per student from the feds, but vast disparities on filling in the rest based on where you live.
Okay, so does that mean each state can make changes to the curriculum? That doesn’t sound that bad to me… you’re essentially like a continent, and amendments to the curriculum could bring some benefits. But I guess the base standards still apply. The one thing I’d caution against, though, is the downgrading of problem-solving skills.
they can make changes to their curriculum, but if they can’t pass the standardized tests, they risk losing funding (or having the feds come in to run the school). so, most teach largely to the lowest common denominator.
Yup pretty bad. Once again, this explains my reasoning in the OP.
Thank you!
Oh, for sure. Those of us that can think for ourselves here have been going nuts for decades!
We’re also very sorry for the damage done by our fellow citizens and leaders.