Do you know what goes on in your child's classroom? This week on 51%, teaching to tests – and colleges trying to keep up with a changing world.
When No Child Left Behind was introduced in 2002, it was hailed as the answer to make sure all children got a good education. More than ten years later, consensus is it's not doing the job. The current administration sent a reform bill to Congress in 2010, but with no progress on that front, states have been given more flexibility in their response to the program's requirements.
Author Ron Berler spent a year inside an elementary school deemed “failing” by No Child Left Behind. His experience is chronicled in the book Raising the Curve: A Year Inside One of America’s 45,000 Failing Public Schools. He is interviewed by With Good Reason's Sara McConnell.
That report comes to us courtesy of With Good Reason.
Coming up, the head of a liberal arts college talks about technology, employment and the future of higher education. Plus a report that may make you a bit more understanding of your stressed out teenager.
You've heard the dismal news for today's college students – the backbreaking student debt, the bleak employment picture, companies which use interns as unpaid labor – and colleges also face challenges presented by online learning, with some colleges now offering free classes to everyone online.
Dr. Mary Grant is president of the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts – a public college in North Adams – a small school with a big reputation and an interest in getting women involved in science, technology, engineering and math.
And finally, a more personal look at college – and the pressure on today's young students. Imagine getting an invitation to apply to college before you've finished your freshman year of high school. That's what's happening in today's hyper competitive, super fast society.
That’s our show for this week. Thanks to Katie Britton for production assistance. Our theme music is by Kevin Bartlett. This show is a national production of Northeast Public Radio. Our executive producer is Dr. Alan Chartock.
