Education
With Obama's latest feint toward moderation, his reform of No Child Left Behind, consider Kevin Kosar's brief critique. Here's his assessment of political science's contribution to political understanding.
See the sidebar links for book reviews, commentary, and lengthier studies on education, including his book. Besides being an authority on federal higher education policy, Kevin also manages a website devoted to the model of all social science scholars Edward Banfield and another called AlcoholReviews. He is the late professor's grandson-in-law--a fact evidenced by the closing line in the NCLB article "So call me grumpy, but I think much work remains to be done, and I won't be surprised if we end up sorely disappointed again."
I've been following this at length from my new digs. Obama's proposed changes to No Child Left Behind are a mixed bag. He would jettison the preposterous 2014 deadline for all American kids to test as "proficient" in reading and math. ("Proficient" in ed-speak is different from what you and I might think it means; bottom line is, that goal was a pipe dream from day one.) The really bad news is this push for a national curriculum. It's supposed to be "voluntary," but Obama wants to tie Title I money to adopting the Common Core standards. This is an unprecedented extension of federal control over education policy. I have an op-ed scheduled to appear in the Sacramento Bee in a couple of days that delves into the whys and what-fors.
congratulations, Ben. Keep us informed.