Education

We live in a country that is that operates under a competitive society, which is driven by new ideas. These new ideas create innovation, which works to make the society more competitive in a modernizing world. In response, to this need for innovation, an education system has been deemed necessary to produce intelligent thinkers capable of synthesizing new ideas. Therefore, in our country, the people elect the government which in return regulates the society. Thus, this government has legitimized certain rights for its citizens through the laws it has passed. To form intelligent thinkers, these laws created and implemented an education system. As a result, the government regulates and funds the system, giving it the responsibility to manage the system's performance.

In this type of education system, in which the government is responsible for its implementation and continuing success, how do you measure success? And how does measure of success relate to the student? How can we determine if we are creating intelligent thinkers who are capable of innovation? So what, if any, is the causal relationship between the United States education system and student performance?

The education system of is not completely flawed; but indicators show that there is room for improvement. President Bush instituted No Child Left Behind (NCLB) during his presidency and it was a start to education reform in the United States. It was supposed to "increase accountability for student performance in public schools." The act instituted penalties for schools who were not keeping up with the nation's standard on test scores. In looking at these ideas, it presents a couple of problems. One, standardized tests are not always the most accurate indication on knowledge. Some students are horrible test takers but are amazing students where others are the opposite. Second, in most public schools there are groups of students who are not willing to learn. This happens because they personally feel no need to try; thus, it makes affects the performance of the whole school. In theory, NCLB should increase competition in schools and therefore produce more innovative students, but in real life it needs reforms, additions, and incentives.

So, if the system seems flawed, how do we reform it? Both candidates agree that No Child Left Behind is in need of reform. But, what are the candidates proposing to solve the problem?

Obama proposes that increased funding for the law, to help support schools that need improvement, instead of punishing them. Additionally, he advocates changing the way in which performance is measured, not simply teaching kids how to perform on standardized tests. Furthermore, Obama intends to address charter schools by expanding funding, but only to states that have accountability for charter schools and a plan for their success.

McCain advocates increasing competition and choice in the public school system. He hopes to address the problems of accountability in the system and work to increase the responsibility for producing well-educated children. He hopes to give the parent choice as to which school their child should attend and by doing so increasing competition among the schools.