Law Students

Obama on Education

By Pete

President Obama laid out his education plan today, and I’m a little confused by it. Specifically, I’m looking for the part that is completely bizarre and makes no sense. I’m not seeing it.

I’m not sure that this will ever be anything but rhetoric, though:

he urged states to develop standards “that don’t simply measure whether students can fill in a bubble on a test but whether they possess 21st century skills like problem-solving and critical thinking, entrepreneurship and creativity.”

I mean, I wasn’t aware that “problem-solving” and “critical thinking” were unique to the 21st century, but even ignoring that, I’m not sure how he intends these tests be structured.

One thing I’m 100% behind, though, is this:

[T]he president warned that ineffective teachers should not be allowed to remain on the job.

“If a teacher is given a chance but still does not improve, there is no excuse for that person to continue teaching,” he said. “I reject a system that rewards failure and protects a person from its consequences.”

Teachers’ unions have opposed merit-based pay, arguing that it is unfair because it leads to competition among teachers and because teachers face different challenges depending on where they are located.

That last paragraph is all you need to know about why teachers’ unions should just be done away with completely. Opposing merit-based pay? Because it would create competition? As though competition to be a better teacher would be a bad thing?

Jesus, give me a break.

All in all, I’m glad the President is doing something worth-while in Washington.

Full post as published by PeteHoliday.com on March 10, 2009 (boomark / email).