I have sharp disagreements with Arne Duncan and with Barack Obama over education policy. But the sensationalist headline, "OBAMA ADMINISTRATION BLAMES TEACHERS FOR A FAILED EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM" -- grossly distorts the true fundamental arguments over public education in the United States.
I believe there is value in "training" educators -- where "training" refers to having teachers complete a university level course of study in the art and science of education. I believe that teaching is a demanding profession and that professional educators deserve the same respect we afford to other highly-skilled professionals.
Teachers are treated like shit in school systems all over the country. They're treated more and more like hourly production workers and less and less like skilled professionals. School administrators continuously pile on more and more demands while reducing resources and the time available for teachers to focus on the primary task of educating students.
Quality education is time-consuming and expensive. I have occasionally had to prepare training sessions for certain technical subjects. It's not easy. Preparing for a half-day training takes me at least a full day of preparation.
Teachers are burdened ever more with unnecessary requirements for evaluation and testing. I blame NCLB but I also blame Arne Duncan -- who seems to essentially embrace the "free-market" ideology behind NCLB.
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