Daffodil Lane

So if you are for a nationalized education system, what is your stance on the assertion that testing is inherently unfair to people of different ethnicities and different socio-economic backgrounds?

I have no stance beyond that it's statement of fact, the statistics bear that out. Nationalizing the system would allow a more effective response to bridge the gaps for those with issues. Currently the system is hap-hazard at best. Plus the bonus of the economies of scale that we would be able to active.

I have the answer to this one...if you had a nationalized education system that wouldn't be an issue. Everyone would be on the same page of music so to speak, except for a few rare cases, but that's a rant for another day.

If monopolies are bad for the business world, why would we tolerate a nationalized education system? Would you continue that line of thinking into higher education?

Because the business world is based on greed and short term gain at the expense of long term goals. Some things are too important to leave in the hands of irresponsible business entities or even in the hands of the states. Some things are so critical for national security that we the people decide that these things shouldn't be trusted to fly by night corporate types and put the government in charge of them. The Education of American's children is too complicated and too important to allow it to be mismanaged any longer. Without dramatic action to reorganize how the system works it's doomed. The Republican "every child left behind" is a great scheme to destroy the education system, by making a national standard while failing to fund the required changes to make it actually possible for the schools to succeed (except of course in rich Republican areas). The only way it could be made to work is to nationalize the schools so that they can pass a nationalized test because they will actually have the chance to learn everything that they need to know. I'm not even going to waste time trying to explain to you that how an education is a fundamental human right, because I know you don't give a damn anyway.

As for higher education, personally I would like to see it nationalized too, there are too many different degree programs and grading systems currently in the system. There is no way to compare one degree to another across colleges, or even one class to another really. But that's just me personally, the other problem is a Republican creation that the only solution for is to nationalize, I can see no pressing need to nationalize the higher education system, other than it would be more effective and decrease confusion.

"Because the business world is based on greed and short term gain at the expense of long term goals. " And the federal government is based on what, in contrast to that?

I find it mildly amusing/irritating when you disparage Republicans, however I find it extremely presumptuous when you believe you know what I think. Trying...to...restrain...myself...[Insert sarcastic remark here.]

Anyway, I'm not exactly sure were you get your information, but I think you should check out this link which explains the history and politics of the "No Child Left Behind" Act.

http://www.educationnext.org/20034/62.html

There is also a link which describes/explains some of the key point from an educator's perspective.

http://www.educationworld.com/a_issues/issues273.shtml

PMP: I don't understand your question. The government's objectives are pretty clear and straight forward. They are outlined in the Constitution and Declaration of Independence, if your asking something more specific I can try to provide it, but you've drifted so far philosophical what you want is no longer clear. You done the political equivalent of asking what color the sky is, I get the feeling you were searching for something deeper but missed your mark.

II: Generally I use my over priced education to get my information. Throw in a little research and think things through to the logical conclusion. Then once I figure out where people are going I point out the future failures in advance and try to dissuade them from their foolish courses of action.

You pretty much answered my question.

Not to split hairs or anything, but if your ideal is to nationalize all education, would you allow home schools, school choice or private schools? If no, then is the statement "Personally I think the government should provide people with choices." you made erroneous?

Absolutely, but they would be required to teach and the children would have to pass the national curriculum. I could care less where they learn it at to be honest. And if you want to teach them a snake handler kind of religious thing, more power to you, but they better be able to provide the correct answers on the test, or an unfortunate series of events ending with you going to jail for criminal neglect if you won't educate your child properly yourself. I know that there are some home schoolers that look at teaching their children as an opportunity to use them as slave labor for personal gain. And if your religion is about that, it's fine. But if your claiming to educate your child with the provided materials from the federal government, and they can't answer even the most basic questions about those materials, then I think that you should be in jail and your kids put into protective custody until you get the message.

What if you child is attending the public school and cannot pass the national tests. Does that mean the teachers go to jail? How about the politicians who passed it into law? How about the people who voted for the politicians? :)