Submitted by Bernard Haber, Jan 28, 2008 17:13

Pluses: 1] More autonomy and accountability for principals. 2] Merit pay for teachers but what is the objective process to determine the merit pay. How much is local educational politics. 3] Grading of schools.

Minuses: 1] Teaching for testing, not for real learning. That is not how the real world works It's not whether one can pass a test. It's how one applies the things they learn.. 2] Minimal input by parents tolerated. 3] General demise of School Boards, PTA's and Parent Associations resulting in lack of input by parents in school policy. 4] Closing of underachieving schools. Why not restaff them with more competent teachers and dismiss or retrain those teachers and principals who don't meet the desired standard.

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