Teach Effectively!

The squeeze is on! Here’s how it works in education: (a) Jack up the standards and (b) cut back the resources.

I’m glad to see efforts to develop and test student learning using high standards. It’s axiomatic to me that unless we have rigorous measuring sticks, it’s nigh-on impossible to assess whether different teaching methods are producing desirable outcomes. So I favor high standards, with this caveat: There must be adjustments made for individuals with disabilities. (This is a variation on the one-size argument.)

It’s also axiomatic to me that meeting high standards is going to require more than  existing budgets, more than repurposing funds from some less-than-essential activities to teaching effectively. Implementing the successful school reform models described in the report of the Center for School Reform Quality requires funding. Success doesn’t come for free.

So, I become concerned when the overseeing governmental groups cut funds from education. According to Chris Kahn of the South Florida Sun-Sentinel, Florida (US) is reducing funding (link):

Florida cut $2.4 million this year from special education programs in Broward County for children with severe disorders, and the U.S. Department of Education plans to slash an additional half million from the county’s special education budget for the 2006-2007 school year, according to Broward education officials.

The budget proposed for 2006-07 by the current administration included cuts to education programs. Although the relevant House committees are apparently only cutting a couple of programs (e.g., higher education demonstration programs for students with disabilities), those that are not being cut are staying at the same level as last year. So, the net result, given inflation, is a cut. Plus, the federal government is still not providing close to the level of support (40%) the laws declare should be provided.

Editorial comment: Aaargh.