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RE: [xmca] Obama's Learn Act



I really think that this legislation is, among other things, historically insensitive.  Do people really think, given our society's history with assessment tests, that these tests are not going to be geared towards middle class values?  Do people really think that these tests are not going to be used to label and differentiate groups?  Do people really think that these assessments are not going to be used to in some way reinforce a deficit model for children who don't do well on the tests?  The fact that these tests are being conducted at such a young age makes these ideas even more painful.
 
These senators Brown and Franken and Murray have their hearts in the right place, but our discourse on education in the United States has become so convoluted and narrow and so dominated by a faux realist perspective (actually an unholy combination of realist and idealist) that even legislators who mean well are I think making thoughtless mistakes.  It still pains me that Ted Kennedy and George Miller were major forces behind NCLB.  There are many reasons for this I think, not the least of which is control of public discourse by a relatively small group of educators - but just because you are giving money towards education initiatives does not mean that you are helping the cause of universal education.
 
Michael

________________________________

From: xmca-bounces@weber.ucsd.edu on behalf of cconnery@ithaca.edu
Sent: Sun 12/13/2009 10:10 PM
To: eXtended Mind, Culture, Activity
Subject: RE: [xmca] Obama's Learn Act



Hi Peg and others:

Here is the specific language under section 9, e,1,c of the LEARN Act:

SEC. 9. SUBGRANTS TO ELIGIBLE ENTITIES IN SUPPORT OF BIRTH THROUGH KINDERGARTEN ENTRY LITERACY.

(e) LOCAL USES OF FUNDS.-
(1) IN GENERAL.-An eligible entity that receives a subgrant under this section shall use the subgrant funds consistent with the plan proposed in subsection (c) to carry out the following activities:
(C) SCREENING ASSESSMENTS AND MEASURES.-Acquiring, providing training for, and implementing screening assessments or other appropriate measures to determine whether children from birth through kindergarten entry are developing appropriate early language and literacy skills.

The question is, "WHO will determine what is appropriate and HOW will they assess it?" This goes to the heart of Vygotsky's work.

Cathrene


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