Jacob-2011


 * Research Question:** Do the standards make better teachers?


 * Author:** Jacob Ricci

__**Source 1**:__ "Revising No Child Left Behind; Can Obama's blueprint fix Bush's education Policies?

Jost, K. (2010`). Revising No Child Left Behind Can Obama's blueprint fix Bush's education policies? //CQ Researcher, 20 // (15), 337-360. []

The article discusses the arguments made for and against Obama’s blueprint for education. Particular emphasis is put on the comparison of NCLB and the blueprint, relating how they are similar and yet vastly different. Among the proponents fighting against the blueprint is Diane Ravitch, who feels it is an improvement, but far too similar to NCLB, and in its current form would create significant long-term issues. The article addresses the Race to the Top program, and its relation to the blueprint. DS


 * __Source 2:__** Education Standards; Will national standards improve U.S. schools?

Clark, C. S. (1994). Education Standards Will national standards improve U.S. schools? //CQ Researcher //, 217-240. []

The question of the effectiveness of school standards has been around for quite some time. This article discusses the views of a multitude of people prior to the actual implementation of national standards. Interestingly enough, we now see many of the fears of those against national standards have come to be, while at the same time, a few of the ideas of the supporters of standards have also come to be. The result is a view from both sides of the argument, and from both timeframes, before and after the implementation of the standards. DS


 * __Source 3:__** National Education Standards; Will they restrict local schools' flexibility?

Koch, K. (1999). National Education Standards Will they restrict local schools' flexibility? //CQ Researcher //, 401-424. []

This article provides a snapshot of an opinion not long after the standards movement began to make actual changes to school systems. The opinions cary from positive to negative, but compliment the other two articles I have quite well. The opinions are clearly mixed, with some in favor of continued, more structured, and more pervasive standards, while others feel they are not going to accomplish much. One overall view from this article is the ineffectiveness of politics in regards to education.


 * __Source 4:__** Exemplary Teacher Voices on Their Own Development

Gabriel, R., Allington, R., & Day, J. P. (2011). Exemplary Teacher Voices on Their Own Development. //Phi Delta Kappan//, 37-41. [|http://0-web.ebscohost.com.helin.uri.edu/ehost/detail?sid=5c52fdd3-e4da-45bf-8997-2cfbc836e8c1%40sessionmgr104&vid=2&hid=105&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ%3d%3d#db=eft&AN=504540920]

This article focuses on the teachers rather than the standards. It gives the teaches a voice in regards to what works and what doesn’t work. From the article, it is apparent that a certain amount of autonomy is important for teachers to be effective. Standards can limit the ability for teachers to try new things and can strain the relationship between teachers and between teachers and administrators, another important element to effective teaching. From this it is apparent that standards are hurting, rather than helping, the teachers.

Overall Reaction to Your Research
From my research, it is apparent that there are a variety of ways to look at the question of standards improving teachers. For the most part, standards impair teachers and have negative consequences, but they have had some benefits. The consequences of standards are vast. Standards have caused teachers to shift focus from teaching each student as much as possible, to trying to get the students to meet standards. Standards add stress to the classroom, on both students and teachers, as there is the ever-looming tests which judge everyone involved. Teachers have lost a lot of their ability teach as they see fit, having to now be constantly aware of how what they teach meets standards. Everything that goes on in the classroom today has to relate back to the standards in some way, and that is hurting, rather than helping student learning. On the reverse, standards have rearranged funding in some districts and changed the way administrations distribute funding. Whether or not this has been a benefit, depends on who you ask. Overall, I would say standards, while good in theory, are bad in practice and hinder rather than help teachers.

Relevance in Rhode Island Schools
In regards to issues relating to reform in Rhode Island, standards seem to have had an overall negative effect. Standards have caused a great deal of controversy in Central Falls as the schools have failed to meet standards routinely. Drastic action has been taken in Central Falls, most of it because the schools are not meeting the standards. This seeming lack of progress according to the standards doesn’t take into account the students at the schools and what actually is causing the problems at the school. Standards have also caused issues across the state forcing towns to shift their budgets and putting extracurricular activities at risk. In general, the standards movement has had negative effects on the schools in Rhode Island.