1. Aim: Does the US need to reform the educational system? Do Now: Make a list of the best aspects of the education you receive and make a list of the worst aspects of your education.

2. Education Stats 2010–11, there were about 13,600 public school districts made up of over 98,800 public schools, including about 5,300 charter schools. In 2009–10, there were about 33,400 private schools offering kindergarten or higher grades. In fall 2012, over 49.8 million students will attend public elementary and secondary schools. Of these, 35.1 million will be in prekindergarten through 8th grade and 14.8 million will be in grades 9 through 12. An additional 5.3 million students are expected to attend private schools. Public elementary and secondary schools will spend about $571 billion for the 2012–13 school year. On average, the current expenditure per student is projected at $11,467 for this school year.

3. 70% of 8 th graders can’t read proficiently, almost will never catch up. 1.2 million students drop out of high school each year. 44% of dropouts under 24 are jobless 300 billion in lost wages, lost taxes and lost productivity due to dropouts from the class of 2007.

4. Changes in Federal Education Law Assistance Accountability The Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 “A Nation at Risk,” 1986 The National Education Summit, 1989 Goals 2000: Educate America Act of 1990 The Improving America’s Schools Act of 1994 No Child Left Behind Act of 2001

5. Important Things to Understand About NCLB NCLB is a reaction to low academic achievement in America’s students NCLB is sweeping legislation that will exert a profound influence on education NCLB recognizes and embraces science NCLB will affect the ways that universities prepare teachers and teachers teach their students NCLB is here to stay (there will be modifications)

6. NCLB Performance Goals By 2013-2014, all students will reach high standards, at a minimum, attaining proficiency or better in reading and mathematics. All limited English proficient (LEP) students will become proficient in English and reach high academic standards, at a minimum, attaining proficiency or better in reading/language arts and mathematics. By 2005-2006, all students will be taught by highly qualified teachers. All students will be educated in learning environments that are safe, drug free, and conducive to learning. All students will graduate from high school.

7. How will states measure progress for schools and students? How will states measure progress for schools and students? Test every child in grades 3 through 8 in reading and math. States will implement fair and effective annual tests. Washington will provide funding to states to design and implement tests.

8. Accountability NCLB focuses on : a.Increasing the academic achievement of all public school students b.Improving the performance of low-performing schools NCLB accomplishes this by: a.Requiring states to measure the progress of students and groups of students every year b.Reporting the results of these measures to parents c.Requiring states to set proficiency standards that schools must attain within a set period of time

9. ALL students with disabilities must participate in annual statewide testing!! ALL students with disabilities are included in AYP calculations

10. NCLB: Public Reporting The results of K – 12 testing are reported with two goals in mind: One is for parents to have detailed information about their schools to make informed parental decisions Second is to provide public schools with feedback on instruction in order to improve student achievement

11. Race to the Top (2009) Race to the Top has a significant change in our education system, particularly in raising standards and aligning policies and structures to the goal of college and career readiness. Race to the Top helps drive states nationwide to pursue higher standards, improve teacher effectiveness, use data effectively in the classroom, and adopt new strategies to help struggling schools. Goals: Development of rigorous standards and better assessments Adoption of better data systems to provide schools, teachers, and parents with information about student progress Support for teachers and school leaders to become more effective Increased emphasis and resources for the rigorous interventions needed to turn around the lowest-performing schools

12. Forty-six states and the District of Columbia submitted comprehensive reform plans to compete in the Race to the Top competition. While 19 states have received funding so far, 34 states modified state education laws or policies to facilitate needed change, and 48 states worked together to create a voluntary set of rigorous college- and career-ready standards. President Obama’s Race to the Top initiative has dedicated over $4 billion to 19 states that have created robust plans that address the four key areas of K-12 education reform. These states serve 22 million students and employ 1.5 million teachers in 42,000 schools, representing 45 percent of all K-12 students and 42 percent of all low-income students nationwide.

13. Common Core The standards are designed to ensure that students graduating from high school are prepared to enter credit bearing entry courses in two or four year college programs or enter the workforce. The standards are clear and concise to ensure that parents, teachers, and students have a clear understanding of the expectations in reading, writing, speaking and listening, language and mathematics in school.

14. The standards provide clarity and consistency in what is expected of student learning across the country. This initiative helps provide all students with an equal opportunity for an education, regardless of where they live. The Common Core State Standards will not prevent different levels of achievement among students, but they will ensure more consistent exposure to materials and learning experiences through curriculum, instruction, and teacher preparation among other supports for student learning.

15. Questions for Discussion: Is the federal government doing enough for education reform in our country? Do you believe the teachers in the classroom are high well trained professionals? Does our educational system need to be reformed? If so, what issues need reforming? Are there too many tests in school? Should the performance of a student be based on an assessment? Why is the US educational system always being criticized?