Federal Policies
Can I just say that politics give me a headache!!
So, when the No Child Left Behind Act (NCLB) was passed, it seemed like a good idea. The ideas of it were to get America up to par with the other developed nations of the world. In order to do this, high standards had to be set in order to get all school systems in the United States on the same page. One of the major goals of the NCLB was to have all students “cross the digital divide” by 8th grade. This basically means that they would have access and a good understanding of how to appropriately use technology to enhance their educational growth. In order for this to happen the Feds had to hand out some money so that all schools could have access to up-to-date technology. Of course everything worked good the first year or so, with the needier schools getting more money than the more “well off” schools. It also encouraged community partnerships to help with the advancement of technology in schools. However, as we all know, there’s only so much money to go around! So, when things get tight, the Feds start cutting budgets and they did. They cut the financial support for technology education in schools.
With the lack of funding, we lose so many opportunities for our own growth, as educators, and also valuable learning opportunities for our students. If we wanted to collaborate with a school on the other coast and we didn’t have access to technology, at least at school, it would take months to coordinate a unit of instruction. Even if a teacher came up with a creative unit, there is a high chance that they will not be able to pull it off effectively without technology. The problem of funding also ties the hands of principals because they cannot do much to get more money, other than to encourage the teachers to apply for grants. At the higher level, school administrators will have to cut spending in other areas to ensure that there is reliable technology in each school. I hope this is not the reason for the schools in my county not having enough textbooks for each student. How can a student learn a foreign language math without a textbook? I have seen a foreign language teacher make upwards of 500 copies a week to ensure that her studnets have all opportunities possible to learn the language. What’s next students having to buy their own textbooks? That will just lead to another divide, instead of digital it will be a textbook divide.
What is so hard for the politicians to figure out that technology is VITAL for the U.S. to succeed in the future? President Bush said it himself, “If we ensure that America’s children succeed in life, they will ensure that America succeeds in the world. (CoSN)” We need more voices out there. There has to be more than just educators calling out for more funding and support, we need parents, community activists, etc.!
March 2nd, 2008 at 8:45 am
I agree with your comments ,the digital divide does come into play. We have to make it available to everybody. Do you think more funding will come about?
March 2nd, 2008 at 10:12 am
Politics can be fun, but when it comes to funding and budget issues, politics is definitely a major headache! Somehow, a way to avoid the games played with budgets has to be found. Education is not a game, or something that can be put off for years to come. I thought NCLB was supposed to ensure that children are not left behind in education, but it sure comes across that teachers/schools are being held accountable for student achievement without being given all the tools needed to assist in erasing gaps between students with and without disabilities as well as the digital divide issues. Bruce asked if you think more funding will happen, but I do not think it will happen until the American people make it an election issue or that we get politicians who understand that education is not a game of inanimate playing pieces, who will not be negatively affected by their game strategies.