This article is an assessment of the path ahead of the road towards the implementation of the new national educational standards. It is a comprehensive analysis of reactions of various relevant educational stakeholders including teachers, educational experts, senior educational officials, students, and parents from a number of states and counties like Montgomery County.
The central theme of this article is the review of various educational stakeholders’ take on the proposed education national standards of education, in relation to the form of reforms needed in the United States’ educational system.
The author has pointed out the example of Maryland’s school system which has been releasing a restructured curriculum that join with new standards what students are supposed to study (Chandler, 2011, Para. 2).
Some of the sweeping changes expected to follow the full implementation of the new educational principles have been identified by commentators consulted by the writer. For example, William Schmidt observes that these standards are essentially a call for a different approach to teaching. The author comes out as one who is in support of the new educational standards.
This line of argument is premised on his choice of seeking more views of stakeholders supporting the new standards contrary to those opposing the new curriculum. He has put more emphasis on the perceived benefits of the standards. He for instance points out that the curriculum puts more emphasis on creative and thinking skills needed in the increasingly globalised and competitive job markets (Chandler, 2011, Para. 24).
Key ideas focused up on in the paper include curriculum, national educational standards and approach to teaching. The article briefly looks at the substance of the old curriculum in relation to the new curriculum. The author points out the point of departure between the former standards and the new standards. He observes that while the new principles focus on central math concepts, writing and nonfiction the former standards differed from one state to another (Chandler, 2011, Para. 9).
The author has used a comparative approach to his topic, as well as, use of a resource person in order to put across his main points clearly. The opinion of the commentator becomes the backdrop against which he raises his argument. By so doing, he more or less guides the reader to see and understand the topic of his article on the basis of an authority in the field. He also uses a comparative approach to the topic in order to bring out strengths of the new standards vividly.
The author has cited approaches to teaching under the old curriculum and the shift of approach brought about by the new standards. The author has also presented strengths and weaknesses of the old and the new curriculum.
The author, for instance, positively contends that the new curriculum puts more emphasis on thinking and creative skills needed by employers (Chandler, 2011, Para. 24). He has also identified one main weakness of the old curriculum whereby, what students expected to study is exclusively determined by government officials and local school leaders.
In summary, this article is articulate and easy to follow. The message put across by the writer can be used in a practical way like in assessing the educational progress of one’s children or siblings, under the new curriculum in comparison to the old standards. Therefore, it is crucial for anyone who values the future of his/her children.
It is amusing to hear that the approach will enable educators to teach for life and not test since that is the key to socioeconomic and political renewal of the American society. The article should also have pursued any weaknesses of the new proposed curriculum comprehensively.
Reference
Chandler, M. (2011). Montgomery County is paving the way for new school standards. Washington Post. Web.