The report card is in. Grade? D. Progress? Non-existent.
SREB study finds the same old problem: Johnny still can't readSo why are Virginia Democrats working feverishly to fund pre-K education while existing funding is wasted in our public schools? Because, in their eyes, it's not about the schools. Or the students. It's about the NEA. More union members.
Kingsport Times News editorial
A new report by the Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) shines a light on an old and persistent problem in our region: the lack of good reading skills.
The report, “A Critical Mission: Improving Adolescent Reading in SREB States,” cites students’ low skills in reading as a chief cause of why southern states’ college completion rates are lower than their high school graduation rates. The report urges state leaders to make the improvement of students’ reading and writing skills the number one priority of all public schools in the 16 SREB states.
The Southern Regional Education Board, which is based in Atlanta, was created in 1948 by southern governors and legislatures to help leaders in education and government work cooperatively to advance education and improve the social and economic life of the region. SREB member states are: Alabama, Arkansas, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia and West Virginia.
The SREB reading report stemmed from a special committee of state leaders headed by Virginia Governor and SREB Chair Tim Kaine.
The conclusions of the SREB study, while disturbing, are really nothing new. It’s scarcely a secret that poor reading skill is the overwhelming reason children repeat grades, are assigned to special education programs or given long-term remedial services. [link]
So what if our kids can't read? Political donations continue to roll in, baby.
So shut up and support kiddygarden for four-year-olds who will never be taught to read.
7 comments:
I think the pre-K push is to act on data that strongly suggests that this program is a cost-effective method for helping Johnny read in elementary school.
Sure it is. What can't be done in twelve years can surely be done in thirteen.
Data seems to indicate that these programs make a pretty big statistical difference in the success rates of kids.
Now, you can choose to ignore the data. Or, you can choose to accept the data and then have a discussion on a variety of policy options based upon the research.
Tell us anon, are you talking about the data purporting to show that Operation Head Start works? I understand that it does help for about 2 years and then the kids go back down to the lowest common denominator. What research are you talking about and is it largely teacher union funded?
no, I'm talking about peer-reviewed data put out by a variety of independent sources (Kaiser, Gates, Hahhvard, etc) who specialize in education. Are some of the folks in unions and would that impact the results?
Yes and no. Peer reviewed data means it is tested and retested according to the scientific method, which as applied removes bias. But, you probably knew that already.
I know, I know, if you don't like the results of a study, go after the people who conducted the studies and try character assassination. Folks on the left do this as often as folks on the right. It's fundamentally wrong and silly to do it, but very effective in public chatter rooms.
What I'm suggesting is that peer-reviewed scientific studies are about the best source of data we have to use when making a decision - these are far more reliable than "the gut" or "emotions".
We went to the moon, beat the Germans and Japs, and managed to solve a ton of the world's problems/mysteries through science, why stop now when we just don't happen to like what the scientific process. If a ton of analysis tells us that pre-K education is a positive impact for later education, and that it produces smarter, better able to lear students, why not give it a shot? Unless of course you are content with letting the rest of the world pass our kids by.
And heck, propose a private solution that meets the same national goal - that shared goal being (I believe) the best educated, technologically adept citizenry in the world. At least that's my goal. Screw the Finns, Japanese, and Aussies. I want to have the smartest kids and the best school system results right here in the US of A.
May I make so bold as to agree anon? Peer reviewed, indeed. Not banned from scientific publications like Dr. Roy Spencer's work, but truly peer reviewed. His work is within another subject altogether but I wish to make the point that science in our best of all possible "modern" worlds is not always scientifically reliable. Again though, I agree completely that we need to make our kids the bestest 'cause that's how our country became the bestest in the first place. Oh, and the union remark was simply intended to (gently) prod those who are always criticizing studies conducted by people (allegedly) bought and paid for by: a. the oil companies; b. the wicked conservatives, c. enemies of the planet, etc.)BTW, watch that "jap" remark or our resident racist hunter will complain to the management.
"On the contrary, while a few tiny, costly programs targeting very poor children have shown some lasting positive effects, the overwhelming majority of studies show that most pre-K programs have little to no educational impact (particularly on middle-class kids) and/or have effects that fade within the first few years of school."
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/05/14/AR2009051403600.html?hpid=opinionsbox1
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