Legislation
Affirmative Action and Reverse Discrimination 
The Trump administration is preparing to redirect resources of the Justice Department’s civil rights division toward investigating and suing universities over affirmative action admissions policies deemed to discriminate against white applicants.
Betsy Devos, Perfect for the Job
Because it is the declared intention of the current administration to eliminate the federal Department of Education, their choice of Secretary is an excellent one.
Congress and Education 2017
A principal goal of the 115th Congress is to abolish the federal Department of Education. Wherever you stand on the issue, you would do well to consider the ramifications.
Cursive Writing Controversy
Cursive writing is just one style of handwriting, but many people seem to think that it is the only kind.
North Carolina legislators have passed a law requiring that all fifth graders must be able to write in cursive.
Education Commission of the States [offsite link]
A site featuring the pros and cons of voucher programs and school choice.
Harvard Faculty´s Response to NCLB [offsite link]
From the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
No Child Left Behind (NCLB) [offsite link]
The official website for the U.S. Government´s No Child Left Behind Act.
Parent Trigger Laws
The existence of parent trigger laws are seen by many as a positive alternative for parents who feel that promised school reform takes too long. A closer look makes one wonder just whom these laws are intended to benefit.
Politicians and Education
Efforts to improve the academic quality of U.S. public schools continue to fail because legislation that ties everything to standardized test scores and makes scapegoats of teachers is totally out of touch with the reality of U.S. culture.
Section 504 in Education [offsite link]
A 504 Plan is a legal document that requires specific assistance for mainstreamed students with special needs. Here are some FAQs.
Special Education vs General Education
As the number of school children diagnosed with special needs soars, many schools face bankruptcy in their attempts to meet federal mandates to serve this demographic. Like other areas of public education, special education is in serious need of reform.
Third Grade Reading Law
Thirteen states have passed Third Grade retention laws. Children who fail to learn to read well enough to do fourth grade work will repeat the third grade.
U.S. Lawmakers and School Officials Need to Take a Good Look at What’s Happening in the U.K. [offsite link]
Maeve Maddox: Laws that govern the schools are laid down as if all children arrive at the classroom door ready to receive what is being offered. The result is a growing underclass of children who are going to swell the criminal classes when they grow up.
What Exactly is ALEC?
The American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) seems to be dedicated to the goal of diverting public money to private pockets. When it comes to education, parents must question the motives of reformers.
What is STEM?
STEM is an acronym for Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. It has become a kind of mantra for business leaders and politicians who want more children to pursue careers in those subjects. A danger is that STEM is seen by some as being of more value than subjects in the Liberal Arts.
Why NCLB has failed
In 2002, NCLB promised that by 2014, 100% of U.S. school children would demonstrate “proficiency” in reading and math. On the NAEP test in 2012, 40% of fourth-graders scored at proficiency or above in math, and 32% scored proficiency in reading. Going by NAEP results, NCLB won't make the deadline.
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