Obama & Education

I've given up on listening to the political speeches, but I reviewed Obama's outline for ECE thoroughly, and at least he HAS a plan for early intervention. He does intend to "reform" NCLB so teachers are not required to teach to the test. I'd be interested in a link to the speech Sydney mentioned--anyone? From his website... "Obama will reform NCLB, which starts by funding the law. Obama believes teachers should not be forced to spend the academic year preparing students to fill in bubbles on standardized tests. He will improve the assessments used to track student progress to measure readiness for college and the workplace and improve student learning in a timely, individualized manner. Obama will also improve NCLB's accountability system so that we are supporting schools that need improvement, rather than punishing them" Also, "He will work to create assessment models that provide educators and students with timely feedback about how it improves student learning, that measure readiness for college and success in an information-age workplace; and that indicate whether individual students are making progress toward reaching high standards. This will include funds for states to implement a boarder range of assessments that can evaluate higher-order skills, including students' abilities to use technology, conduct research, engage in scientific investigation, solve problems, present and defend their ideas. These assessments will provide immediate feedback so that teachers can begin improving student learning right away". Of course, he doesn't say exactly what forms these assessments will take, nor where the funding for these assessment models will come from. He does recognize the importance for intervention from zero to five, and it sounds as though he will support programs that work with parents in the home, which I am in favor of. He also is in favor of voluntary universal pre-kindergarten, it sounds as if he is willing to support existing programs and "invest more in those programs and ensure they are using high-quality, evidence-based models of instruction that have been proven to work" rather than pressuring states to create new programs. If his idea of "evidence-based" models is focused more on developmentally appropriate practice and research-supported approaches (such as RI, High/Scope, CC, etc), I'm supportive of that, but of course he doesn't say whose research he is supporting. He also supports providing further funding for child care for low income families--if that actually happens I would be incredibly impressed. I'm not holding my breath. McCain, on the other hand, concerns me more in the area of standardized testing & inappropriate educational standards. While he doesn't have anywhere near the well presented outline Obama has, his website states "John McCain Will Build On The Lessons Of No Child Left Behind (NCLB). There should be an emphasis on standards and accountability. However, our goal cannot be group averages. Instead, our focus should be to inspire every child to strive to reach his or her potential. While NCLB has been invaluable in providing a clear picture of which schools and students are struggling, it is only the beginning of education reform.". He has yet to convince me exactly how NCLB has been "invaluable". His focus seems to be primarily on ensuring children are meeting standards & giving parents freedom of choice, rather than improving the educational system as a whole. Personally, if I was voting based on education alone I would probably vote for Obama, just because he DOES have some form of an outline, though I'm sure it is far from perfect. As the entire thing stands, I'm not sure I'll even bother standing in line to vote this year.