U.S. Schools Need National Academic Standards
- par: Care2.com
- destinataire: Education Secretary Arne Duncan
It's no secret that Americans students lag behind the world, especially in math and science. But bringing students up to par is made more difficult by the patchwork of curricula and varied standards across the country.
Last year, most states adopted a set of standards developed by the National Governor's Association and a group representing school superintendents. The Obama administration encouraged states to adopt the standards as part of the Race to the Top program. But these standards should be required in every state.
More states are evaluating teachers, principals and schools on performance, so it's critical that there are uniform standards to judge them. To close the academic achievement gap between between American and international students, we must be able to hold all kids and schools to the same, high standards.
Tell Education Secretary Arne Duncan to push for national academic standards for all American schools.
Dear Secretary Duncan,
Thank you for including the adoption of national academic achievement standards as laid out by the National Governor's Association and Council of Chief State School Officers in evaluations for Race to the Top. If we want our children to compete with international students, it's critical for American students to all be judged by the same, high standards.
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The historic patchwork of standards, tests and curricula at the state and district level have resulted in lopsided and incomparable data about student success. Even worse, to avoid sanctions under No Child Left Behind, many states have lowered the achievement bar. As a nation, we need to expect more from our students, teachers and schools.
Now, as more teachers, principals and schools will be evaluated based on their performance -- often determined by test scores -- it's critical that there is a uniform, national standard by which to judge them.
Please encourage the adoption of national education standards in all states.
