Department of Education

[Axtremus]

@Mik said in Department of Education:

Let it be local and not let the federal tentacles in.

Why?

[jon-nyc]

Let’s do a really obvious example. You probably want someone in government to continue to service existing student loans, even if you abolish new ones. Re the latter, good luck getting moderates on board with abolishing Pell grants and student loans completely (though I could see them reigning them in and support that myself)

So it really is a function-by-function analysis.

[Mik]

@Axtremus said in Department of Education:

@Mik said in Department of Education:

Let it be local and not let the federal tentacles in.

Why?

If you knew anyone close who worked in public education you’d know.

[89th]

I'm not educated enough to really have an opinion, ironically. I do think a function by function analysis makes sense (and honestly is the only way it'll happen, if at all). Either way, it seems there can be a big improvement on learning standards, culture, and curriculum.

[taiwan_girl]

[Jolly]

Big whoop.

Overall, it's about 10%. Keep the money in block grants, kill a lot of the rules which result in an army of paper shufflers at the local and state level, set some national goals and get out of the way.

[taiwan_girl]

@Jolly I dont disagree, but I dont know enough about that department to make any intelligent comments. (but I guess that has never stop me before 5555)

[LuFins Dad]

@taiwan_girl said in Department of Education:

@Jolly I dont disagree, but I dont know enough about that department to make any intelligent comments. (but I guess that has never stop me anybody on the forum before 5555)

FIFY

[taiwan_girl]

@LuFins-Dad

[Mik]

@Jolly said in Department of Education:

Big whoop.

Overall, it's about 10%. Keep the money in block grants, kill a lot of the rules which result in an army of paper shufflers at the local and state level, set some national goals and get out of the way.

Completely agree. Get the federal tentacles out of the schools. Federal money is very much like the pusher giving you enough free dope to get you addicted. then the price goes up.

[LuFins Dad]

Here’s the deal. You want education to improve? Have 50 departments trying different things rather than 1 dictating for everybody.

[jon-nyc]

Im no expert but I think they backed off national standards. That was a W thing.

[Jolly]

No Child Left Behind.

Sadly, some children aren't of normal intelligence. Inclusion slows things down.

[Jolly]

Shut it down!

https://www.thefp.com/p/betsy-devos-shut-down-the-department-of-education-trump-elon

[Rich]

@Jolly said in Department of Education:

No Child Left Behind.

Sadly, some children aren't of normal intelligence. Inclusion slows things down.

At least around here, I believe it led to a number of kids getting designated as being special needs. Whether it was 'developmental delays' or thrown under the 'autism spectrum' umbrella, it was a way for school systems to not get penalized for having kids not hitting certain achievements.

So a kid who was borderline could end up spending half (or more) of his day in a room with students who were non-verbal. Instead of that kid getting the work needed to catch up to peers--they'd now have their own IEP, that would frequently take them down a few notches from their potential. Unless there were a couple very involved parents.

[jon-nyc]

@Jolly

She makes the anti-grant case but you watch Trump will keep the grants.

[Jolly]

At this point I'm not sure Trump knows exactly what he will do.

It's not like he's running for reelection...

[jon-nyc]

The Department of Education does not run a single school. It does not employ any teachers in a single classroom. It doesn’t set academic standards or curriculum. It isn’t even the primary funder of education—quite the opposite. In most states, the federal government represents less than 10 percent of K–12 public education funding.

So what does it do? It shuffles money around; adds unnecessary requirements and political agendas via its grants; and then passes the buck when it comes time to assess if any of that adds value.

Trump will add unnecessary requirements reflecting a different political agenda would be my guess.

[Jolly]

Maybe. Maybe not.

[89th]

Looks like the department's closure is imminent. What's funny is how common the search right now "what does the Dept of Education actually do?", which should tell you something about the department...

Maybe the government should just be involved in facilitating an annual "state education department" conference where states share what is working well, compare scores, and provide advice for other states with new ideas.

I also hope special needs students aren't hurt (maybe they are helped?) by this. Sure would be nice if Trump signed an EO specifically to support Americans with special needs... medicine (Medicaid), housing, and education. Obviously I'm biased because of my sister, but they are some of the most vulnerable citizens who through no fault of their own or their parents (most of the time) were dealt a really bad hand at life.