While in the process of studying for my qualifying comprehensive exam - scheduled for the second week in September - it has been enlightening to go back and review some thoughts I shared with various professors at William and Mary as a beginning doctoral student back in 2009. At the School of Education in Tribeland, one of the four developed attributes expected of its graduates is to be a reflective practitioner. As I reflect on my answers to a question presented in EPPL 601 class during the summer of 2009, I'd ask the reader to assess my prognosticating skills.
The question presented in this instance was "What are the four factors impacting educational policy today? Agree? Disagree? I'd like to read your thoughts on this matter.
Back to studying!
- The
four factors I see impacting education policy most today are the following
– economics, technology, diversity and high stakes testing.
By economics, I am looking at a few
sub-factors. Of course, the first is our stumbling economy in America.
Unemployment is over nine percent and as high as 18% in states such as Michigan.
The lack of growth in the economy is causing Americans more stress, but more
importantly it is leaving school districts in the position of having to make
cuts. Last year, school district had to slice 5-10% of their budgets and the
2010-2011 year budgets are looking at more cuts. At the family level, rising
prices and higher real estate assessments are causing families to have to
buckle down – take on second and third jobs, which leaves them less time with
their children.
Technology is greatly affecting
education policy, but its potential looks to be a benefit within school policy.
School systems such as Henrico (VA) have been able to undertake a “one-to-one”
laptop agreement thereby giving each student access to his/her own laptop.
Surprisingly, Henrico did not have to outlaw a great amount of funds to make
this policy a reality, but rather re-allocate some of the existing funds. Technology will continue to have a positive
impact on education policy in the near and distant future.
Diversity also affects policy.
Several years ago (2002-2003), I was the boys track coach at JEB Stuart H.S. in Fairfax
County. Stuart was a school represented by students from over 70 countries. The
world is changing and evolving and the America as “melting pot” continues
constantly as pockets of many nationalities continue to make America their
home. Within the next 20 years, white students will lose their majority status
and new policies have to keep in mind that the schools are becoming much more
diverse, sometimes in unexpected places, such as Harrisonburg.
Finally, high stakes testing will
continue to impact educational policy. The NCLB Act is scheduled to reach its
goals by 2014. Since no one believes that 100 percent of students will be able
to pass the SOL’s it is apparent that more policy discussions will occur to
determine how to alter NCLB. As noted in class, this should be a knockdown,
drag-out “12 rounder.”
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