Your Own Child Left Behind?

September 25, 2007 · Posted in NCLB, Studies 

It’s difficult to find arguments for the success of NCLB, but here’s a unique twist on the topic. Parents (at least those in Kansas) don’t appear to support strengthening math, science, and technology programs to enhance 21st century skills. This report from eSchool News suggests that parents are on the whole satisfied with “basic” skills in math and science and do not see the need for advanced skills for their own children.

“The dilemma is really twofold,” says Jean Johnson, executive vice president of Public Agenda. “One is that parents, students, and local communities may be complacent about or even resist efforts to strengthen math and science education. Right now, most just don’t share leaders’ sense of urgency. The second is that many young people and their families may not recognize the vast and interesting opportunities available to students with strong math and science backgrounds. They just may not have absorbed how much the economy and future jobs are changing.”

I guess it doesn’t take a government program to leave children behind when parents are willing to do it themselves.

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Comments

One Response to “Your Own Child Left Behind?”

  1. Darlene Ulak on October 2nd, 2007 9:01 am

    Many times parents leave the ‘whole teaching” responsibility to the school system, hardly volunteering are getting involved, only when a problem arises. It is true, that some parents choose their kids behind (academically). I find that true here out in the bush too.

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