Rhode Island 's Public Policy Guidelines Essay

Over the centuries, education has changed based on the demands of the citizens during a specific time. As Americans become more informed (educated), their opinions, ideas, and thinking change. America’s expectations concerning public education have evolved as well. The demands that are placed on states, districts, and leadership are becoming more intense; yet, our culture still believes that public education is faltering.

It was with wild fanfare that the state’s Republican legislature and Republican Governor enacted their reforms for the state’s public school system. Among the panaceas was charter schools, a ‘90s education fad that gives individual parents the right to send their children to state-approved public charter schools at public expense. Politicians reasoned that less-bureaucratic charter schools would teach students better than traditional public schools because charter schools wouldn’t be subject to the same mandates that the state had heaped upon public schools. Furthermore, traditional schools would be forced to compete with charter schools as they lured thousands

Indirectly, or directly, one can argue, public schools are controlled by the federal and state governments. Several issues have emerged, because of the conflict between federal and state requirements for education. “Under the Tenth Amendment, any authority not given specifically to the federal government is reserved to the states. Thus, the federal government has no authority to regulate education directly; that belongs to the states” (Underwood, n. d., p. 2). To get around this, the federal government controls the schools through funds for complying with certain initiatives, procedures, and policies (Underwood, n. d.). Ironically, both the state and federal levels of government hold the district liable for implementing different agendas and legal obligations. The federal government, however, can ensure that no citizen is denied their rights or privileges, even in a private institution, because of the Bill of Rights and other amendments. Failure to comply by these amendments or statutes can lead to the loss of federal funding and legal reproductions for schools.

Diane Ravitch, an “educational historian”, answers four questions in her book, Reign of Error. Is American education in crisis? Is American education failing or declining? What is the evidence for reform being promoted by the government and adopted by many states? What should we do to improve our schools and the lives of our children? According to Ravitch, the “crisis” concerning American education is actually a myth. In this book, she addresses myth after myth providing adequate clarity and information. She looks deep into the facts and brings to light what is actually happening in education in America in the following areas: test scores, achievement gaps, graduation rates, teachers and test scores, merit pay, charter schools, virtual school, government involvement of failing schools. In the latter chapters she offers specific solutions with detailed plans and recommendations to preserve and improve American education. Ravitch’s thesis is that American public education must be protected against government privatization and that we must work together to improve our schools. I couldn’t agree more with Ravitch. Government involvement in education has negatively impacted education since the passing of NCLB. Our focus has changed from being innovative teachers to cookie cutter teachers. Government officials should not make decisions without advice from educational professionals. We must all work together to make education work.

     The Long Island Sound is a vital resource used by both humans and wildlife. The quality of its water is an issue that affects everyone and everything. Scientific studies and continuous monitoring provide evidence as to what actions need to be taken to improve and restore the water quality. In more ways than one, the United States government has devoted much of its time to ensure the revival and protection of the Long Island Sound.

“Shrinking state and local education budgets matched with the added pressure of the No Child Left Behind Act of 2001, which sets rigid standards in reading and math that schools must achieve in order to receive federal funding, have created a new challenge for districts” (Van Harken).

To get to this point, Massachusetts had to completely change its educational reform. To achieve a better outcome for the system, school investment had to be doubled. The current total expenditure in Arizona’s K-12 education is clearly not enough. If a real progress wants to be made, a larger amount of funding should be invested. Increasing the amount invested in Arizona’s K-12 education will allow the state government to

Cameron Butterworth 1R November 2, 2014 Rhode Island Informative Essay Even though Rhode Island is one of the smallest states it has a coastline of over 400 miles and rivals all the other coastal states in trade and shipping. Rhode Island is measured at 48 miles long and 37 miles wide. Rhode Island was founded in 1636 by Rodger Williams who along with three other settlers were seeking more freedoms. Rodger Williams was born in London, England in 1603 and died in 1683.

What is the role of public schools? Who should be governing public schools? This paper will address each side of these educational issues as well as offer a position statement and an action plan.

For American public schools, the interplay between public policy has been rather volatile, thanks to both state and federal constitutions mandating an ever shifting degree

Founded in 1636 by Roger Williams, Rhode Island is the ideal place to live in.

Swiftly taken with even the slightest, most gentle breeze, I have traveled across the country showing the world my existence. I blossomed from a small seed, once planted by a male and female farmer in Johnston, Rhode Island. I grew outside of their quaint yellow house, in the soft-lush-flourishing grasses, where their children played among flowers and nature. Peaceful and serendipitous were the two words to describe my everlasting life, until the storm struck.

Education is an issue that touches everyone’s lives in one way or another. Whether you are a parent, student, teacher, taxpayer, or employee, the effects of education on society can be seen everyday. For this reason, public schools are a top concern among political leaders. Over the past twenty-five years, confidence in the nation’s public school system has dramatically declined. While the public for the most part seems to support their school district, criticism is not lacking. Recent years especially have shown dissipating support. It appears that the prevailing view is that public education, as a whole, is in bad condition and is in need of a renewed effort to fix it. Private schools seem to fare

Privatization brings a plethora of powerful benefits to the educational community. In their study of Massachusetts inter-district school choice program, Armor and Peiser (1998) note that school competition produces an incentive for schools to improve. As schools compete for students, they focus resources and funding to improve the educational climate in their schools. This study also proved that parents are most likely to choose a school based on academic quality (Armor & Peiser 1998). The use of school data such as test scores, student to teacher ratios, and spending per student are more indicative of where parents will send their children. Districts in Massachusetts that saw a loss of students in the early years were bringing in more students after gathering more resources to improve their schools (Armor & Peiser 1998). School choice also puts more pressure on districts to spend in more efficient ways (Goldhaber 1999). For example, in mathematics and science, the degree level of the instructor is directly related to the achievement of students (Goldhaber 1999). The salary schedules of school districts indicate higher salaries and benefits for teachers who have attained higher degrees. Most schools have out-of-field teachers

A blueprint for reform was written to reauthorize the Elementary and Secondary Education Act during President Barack Obama Administration. This change was to run its course through 2020. It was recognized that there was still a need for world-class education to ensure students’ success. The blueprint built on reforms already being exercised in response to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This addressed four areas: ”(1) Improving teacher and principal effectiveness to ensure that every classroom has a great teacher and every school has a great leader; (2) Providing information to families to help them evaluate and improve their children 's schools, and to educators to help them improve their students ' learning; (3) Implementing college- and career-ready standards and developing improved assessments aligned with those standards; and (4) Improving student learning and achievement in America 's lowest-performing schools by providing intensive support and effective interventions” (“A Blueprint for Reform”, 2011, p. 3). Like all states Missouri was to incorporate this blueprint reform within the Show-Me Standards.