Currently, education is handled at the local level. School districts are free to decide how and what classes are taught. Mandates that schools districts must follow are handed down from the state, which usually obtains requirements from the federal government. If the state complies with the federal government requirements, federal funding is provided to the state. In other word state and local governments get money for doing what the federal government says, but otherwise can choose how to implement federal requirements. This give state government and local districts an enormous amount of power, especially when it comes to funding.
For example, NCLB, a federal statute, requires all children in the United States to become proficient in mathematics and reading. The states obtain funding from the federal government to do this. The state then gets to choose how the requirement is met and where the money goes. In New York, children from grades three through eight must take exams each year. The exams determine if a local school, who chooses how to teach the curriculum, is meeting the state requirements, which mirror the federal requirements. Schools deemed "failing" can apply for more funding to improve the school.
So where am I going with this?
At a recent school district CIO meeting, mention of a national list of commonly taught classes is being compiled. This list would be used by every school in the country to match teachers to classes in a system designed to measure teacher ability. Down the road, it would be used in teacher evaluation. Sounds great right! I mean what could be wrong with this? Nationwide, teachers who teach algebra will be identified. Schools with the best algebra teachers will be praised and sought after, and bad algebra teachers will be eliminated. Just what everyone wants, right? Wrong!
The teacher's unions are some of the most powerful in the country, and they support Democrat candidates almost one hundred percent. So then why would a Democrat administration go after teachers?
I believe this is an attempt to nationalize curriculum and therefore schools. With a national database of common classes, the federal government could, in the future, dictate how and which classes are taught. This would take power away from the states and local districts and pass it to the federal government, which is done in some European countries (and we know how much the liberals love Europe!). This is already taking place in other aspects of education. On September 29, I blogged about Obama and NCLB. Obama is trying to force states to accept federal teaching standards through the use of waivers. So why is it a stretch to believe the federal government may force what classes are taught and the content of those classes?
And to come full circle, the most important aspect: the funding, and the government has a few options here. It can directly fund each district, punishing those they feel do not "comply" with their agenda. It can keep schools fully funded, preventing any layoffs, and keeping union dues flowing in. The dues then end up as contributions to the Democrat party, and funding is no longer a campaign issue Republicans can use. It can also try to make teacher's, all unionized, into federal employees. Federal employees do not have unions. Starting with teachers, who have a well established union, may provide a pathway to unionizing federal workers. More money for Democrats.
Can't happen you say? Too complex or too many variables, you might argue. Well the federal government already dictates what food can be served in schools (see my blog titled "Cupcakes"). It also took over two car companies, student loan programs, and financial institutions and is about to take over the entire health care system. Plus, it tells you what light bulbs you can buy and use and how much water is in your toilet, along with a whole host of other things.
I don't expect this to happen over night, but I believe the groundwork is being laid for a national takeover of education.
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