Lower Standards for High School Diploma

Sounds wrong? That's probably because most people talk about improving standards to increase success at the college level. Many students are entering colleges unprepared, and yet some states are lowering their standards for a high school diploma? Education is supposed to improve the position of the United States in the global economy and also improve the socioeconomic status of individuals. If standards are lowered, doesn't that mean that the United States will be taking a step back in the global marketplace and that the individuals in these states will not fare as well as the rest of the country?

States Lower Test Standards for a High School Diploma

An article in the NYTimes this week states that Pennsylvania adopted a new state law that is supposed to ensure that students are graduating high school prepared for college, but many say that the law is watering down the requirements.

The rules in Pennsylvania require students to pass at least four courses, with the end-of-course exams counting for a third of the course grade. If students fail an exam or a section of an exam, they will have two chances to retake it. If they cannot pass after that, they have the option of doing a subject-specific project that is approved by district officials.

Theoretically, a student would be able to graduate from high school without having mastered the required curriculum. I am not sure how that prepares students for college. You are not allowed to retake certain parts of finals that you fail in college. So why would doing so in high school prepare you for college?

The new system in Pennsylvania is not the only one receiving criticism. Other states, like NJ, NY, Texas, Arkansas, and Massachusetts, are being criticized as well. States have eliminated parts of the test so that students would be able to pass at higher rates. If you ask me, these new tests are not preparing more students for college, they are just ensuring that more students complete high school by watering down exams. This will do nothing but put these students at a disadvantage to their peers.

Lower Standards for High School Diploma

Education Week: Obama Unveils Projects to Bolster STEM Teaching

via Education Week: Obama Unveils Projects to Bolster STEM Teaching.

This article is very interesting. As someone who works at a national non-profit in the STEM education field, I am happy to see that the President has announced that there will be more that $250 million (more than double the amount that Obama announced in November) in private investments to help attract and prepare new teachers for STEM. The money will also help to improve instruction in STEM by teachers that are already practicing.

The article notes that the government can not address the STEM problem alone. Therefore, a partnership between the federal government, companies, foundations, nonprofit groups and science and engineering societies will work with young people across the United States to excel in STEM. However, I think that the partnership should include other entities such as post secondary institutions (both two-year and four-year colleges) with science and engineering programs. These schools prepare students for careers in engineering and would know what is needed for them to succeed at the post secondary level.

In addition, education graduate schools would also be able to further assist in developing adequate professional development of teachers in the STEM areas.

I would also like to see more involvement from the multicultural STEM nonprofits and foundations. As the demographics of the country continue to change and Latinos become a dominant portion of the population, it is important that education to workforce development program include and reach out to all cultures.

Education Week: Obama Unveils Projects to Bolster STEM Teaching

Early Childhood Part 2

Last night, I blogged about Secretary Duncan's statement on the new bill that will provide over $8 billion over eight years into states to improve the quality of early-childhood education. This morning, I saw that Education Week had covered it in today's online edition. So for those of you who are interested, here it is.

Early Childhood Part 2

Early Childhood Education

Secretary of Education, Arnie Duncan, released a statement about the Student Aid and Fiscal Responsibility Act that the House has passed recently. This would reallocate money into several initiatives, including the Early Learning Challenge Fund. Duncan stated:

Education and, in many ways, success in life begins with high-quality early learning experiences. We know that increasing the number of high-quality early learning opportunities, especially for low-income families, improves child outcomes. Research shows children who receive such services are less likely to be referred to special education and more likely to graduate and be successful adults. All children deserve these early opportunities to reach their full potential.

I could not agree more with Secretary Duncan. The foundation for education begins at a young age. Oftentimes, students in low-income areas are not afforded the same opportunities prior to formal education and therefore begin school at a disadvantage. I am eager to see what will come out of this.

Early Childhood Education

Aligning Curricula

Is it just me, or is this something that all states should be doing? Shouldn't high school prepare you for college? Especially this day in age, where college is really necessary for many professions. I'm glad that Texas is finally tackling this issue, but I am not sure if aligning the curricula of their high schools and colleges is the best way to lower their remediation rate.It might address the low college-going rates, but I wonder if there are other factors behind the low college-going rates in Texas.

I think that aligning the curricula may increase the retention rate of Texas high school students in college, but I am not sure how it would increase remediation or college-going rates. I believe that there may be other factors that could be attributed to the high remediation rate in Texas. For instance, teacher quality is not mentioned in this article, but may have a big effect on remediation rates. Furthermore, low college-going rates could be attributed to students not applying to colleges, or to inadequate school counselors.

While curriculum alignment is definitely a step in the right direction, I hope that Texas continues to evaluate their education system. I also hope that other states take the same steps in aligning their high school curriculum to college preparedness.

Aligning Curricula