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EducationReform 7 - 10 Feb 2010 - Main.RonMazor
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| | A friend and I recently got into a discussion / argument recently over education reform. It all started when I scoffed at the fact that prospective grade school teachers who lacked a degree specifically in "education" needed to take an three extra semesters of education (get a Masters).
My argument was that if person A went to undergraduate school B, a respected, accredited American university and did reasonably well but majored in something than education, then that person should be not have to borrow more money just to attend another year and a half to two years of school to get the necessary qualifications to teach. The current requirements are in many ways, too burdensome. Not to rely on anecdotes, but, I have multiple friends who excelled in undergrad, got honors, wrote theses, etc. who wanted to become teachers but cannot (at least not immediately) because of the hoops and hurdles involved in entering the system. At least one will not become a teacher any time in the near future because of them. To be sure, I'm not in favor of a simple standardized test that tests nothing but your ability to take that test. But, I think that an alternative combination of a test and a shorter more affordable certificate program possibly coupled with an evaluation period or apprenticeship may be sufficient. (Teach For America aside) | | |
-- PaulSmith - 09 Feb 2010 | |
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For what it's worth, we already provide public subsidies to students attending private universities. Pell Grants, Stafford Loans, etc.
On the larger issues, I agree with Paul.
The notion that "too many people" are attempting higher education doesn't sit well with me. If someone wants to go to college, let them. If they drop out after a year and never receive a degree, why is that a bad thing? A fellow citizen gained a year of education.
The health of a democracy rests upon the education of its citizenry. We fund public libraries. We fund public primary education. We do so for good reasons. A participatory democracy requires a literate public, and benefits from thoughtful and discerning voters. Thinning the ranks of higher education is a poor way to make it more efficacious. If demand is high, we should devote greater resources as a society to maintain its quality. In short, let's throw some more money at the problem.
P.S. I realize my post about education/democracy is vulnerable to a number of critiques, especially regarding the ease of voter manipulation, voter apathy, the poor state of our current public education system in meeting its theoretical goals, etc. I'll let someone else take up the mantle of poking holes in idealism tonight.
-- RonMazor - 10 Feb 2010 | | | |
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| Revision 7 | r7 - 10 Feb 2010 - 06:29:40 - RonMazor |
| Revision 6 | r6 - 09 Feb 2010 - 14:45:01 - PaulSmith |
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