Persuasive Essay On Education Reform

Recently, President Obama seemed to contradict himself over his views on education and specifically standardized testing. Appearing to finally succumb to the public backlash over the education reform practiced by the Obama administration, this is a very relevant and important issue for high school students. All across America, students take dozens of standardized tests each year. This is related to government because the Federal and State governments are resopnsible for regulating these exams and create the curriculum to prepare students for tests. A major reform to the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act could drastically affect schools and the government. A large amount of time, a disproportionally large amount of time according to Obama's recent change in view, is devoted to testing and preparing for tests, so a change could also affect students. That is why this sudden flip flop in Obama's view on education is

First, there could be an imminent reform to the No Child Left Behind Act, reducing the amount of tests required and loosening federal mandates on schools. This would have a profound effect on our education system, because President Obama's suggestion of a federal mandate limiting time spent on tests to 2% of class time would change the way class time is spent in our schools. A second effect is that Obama could drop the teacher evaluation mandate and support intensive help, rather than punishment, for struggling schools. This would eliminate teachers' fears of loosing their jobs, which would result in less class time spent on test prep. Also, this would help struggling schools to improve their education. A third effect could be that nothing changes. Obama could change his mind again, and it is unlikely that any major reforms to standardized testing will take place even if he stays firm in his position. After all, standardized tests are still useful and necessary, so it would not make sense to eliminate them