Monday, September 1, 2008

Blog 1

As I looked through the website for  The Breeze.  I came across an article that particularly peaked my interest.  The article was "Guest Column: Candidates Must Get Educated" posted on 2 September 2008 by Jesy Leifer.  The article sets forth a problem that commonly is an issue upon all persons hoping to get into the education field.  How should classes be split up?  His argument compels the reader onward by slipping only the information that the candidates have a plan in the making for the future of the country on this issue.
Nationally, the biggest problem with this issue is amongst elementary schools and the minimum curriculum they have versus the number of students and each of his or her abilities.  Obama has proposed reform to the No Child Left Behind Act and make sure the most qualified teachers have the highest pay.  McCain believes that the issue should be left amongst the states and a merit system set to weed out the "bad" teachers.  Quickly, the author through the ideas and dismisses them as only political speech due to the lack of experience on the subject by these candidates.  He places the plans against the current situation and deems that they will have no effect in improving conditions.  The smart and the mentally insufficient are being forced to the back in comparison to the "average" person.  This is a problem that relatively everyone has come to know by some means.  So, how can we stop this trend?  The method proposed is "ability grouping."  The process separates students based upon performance.  This process is already employed by means of AP classes, specialized classes, and advanced courses at the middle and high school levels.  The author ends his argument with a natural conclusion for all solutions.  There will be bugs but it is better than what we have.
This article really hit home with me because I was one of those students bored out of his mind because he was ahead in the class.  I remember being scolded for reading during topography because I already knew all the information. I was constantly striving to find something to keep me occupied while the rest of the class was busy doing work that I had learned already.  I also have a strong interest in the candidates of this election and creating an image of their flaws.  I am hoping that this article might make it out of this newspaper and into the echelons of political theorists and help create an inquiry into this possible solution.

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