Education Reform In Florida

In Education Reform in Florida, sociologists and historians evaluate Governor Jeb Bush's nation-leading school reform policies since 1999. They examine the startlingly broad range of education policy changes enacted in Florida during Bush's first term, including moves toward privatization with a voucher system, more government control of public education institutions with centralized accountability mechanisms, and a "superboard" for all public education. The contributors arrive at a mixed conclusion regarding Bush's first-term education policies: while he deserves credit for holding students to higher standards, his policies have, unfortunately, pushed for equality in a very narrow way. The contributors remain skeptical about seeing significant and sweeping improvement in how well Florida schools work for all students.

Education Reform in the American States is a timely evaluation of the accountability movement in American public education, culminating in the No Child Left Behind Act, federal legislation of 2002. The authors treat the current accountability movement, placing it in historical context and addressing the evolution in public education policymaking from the overwhelming emphasis on state and local discretion to increasing federal oversight and mandates related to federal funding. They provide case studies of the educational accountability movements in nine states and analyze the factors and forces which explain progress in achievement levels as measured on standardized tests and the states' prospects for meeting their NCLB targets. The book and the individual case studies acknowledge the merits of NCLB while exposing several significant flaws and unintended harmful consequences of the act, particularly its incentives for states to lower their standards in order to meet annual yearly progress targets and its threat to withdraw federal funds from districts with the highest percentage of disadvantaged students. The audience for this study includes local, state and federal education policy makers; administrators and instructors in schools of education and other teaching programs, educators; and the general public.

This book offers a sophisticated overview of President Obama’s education agenda, exploring how and why education policy became national and ultimately presidential over the past seven decades. The authors argue that the Obama education agenda, though more ambitious, is broadly in line with those of recent presidencies, reflecting elite views that since substantial increases in spending have failed to improve equity and achievement, public schools require reforms promoting transparency such as the Common Core national standards, as well as market based reforms such as charter schools. While sympathetic to President Obama’s goals, the authors argue that the processes used to implement those goals, particularly national standards, have been hurried and lacked public input. The Obama administration’s overreach on school reform has sparked a bipartisan backlash. Even so, Maranto, McShane, and Rhinesmith suspect that the next president will be an education reformer, reflecting an enduring elite consensus behind school reform.

The mission of the International Journal of Educational Reform (IJER) is to keep readers up-to-date with worldwide developments in education reform by providing scholarly information and practical analysis from recognized international authorities. As the only peer-reviewed scholarly publication that combines authors’ voices without regard for the political affiliations perspectives, or research methodologies, IJER provides readers with a balanced view of all sides of the political and educational mainstream. To this end, IJER includes, but is not limited to, inquiry based and opinion pieces on developments in such areas as policy, administration, curriculum, instruction, law, and research. IJER should thus be of interest to professional educators with decision-making roles and policymakers at all levels turn since it provides a broad-based conversation between and among policymakers, practitioners, and academicians about reform goals, objectives, and methods for success throughout the world. Readers can call on IJER to learn from an international group of reform implementers by discovering what they can do that has actually worked. IJER can also help readers to understand the pitfalls of current reforms in order to avoid making similar mistakes. Finally, it is the mission of IJER to help readers to learn about key issues in school reform from movers and shakers who help to study and shape the power base directing educational reform in the U.S. and the world.

Introducing the "Bush Family: Politics to Philanthropy" Book Bundle! Discover the compelling and influential legacy of the Bush family across four captivating volumes. This limited-time offer brings together the remarkable stories of one of America's most prominent political dynasties, spanning generations and diverse domains. Book 1: From Prescott to George W.: The Bush Family Saga Unearth the origins of the Bush family's journey, from their early strides in the oil industry to their emergence as iconic figures in American politics. Dive into the saga of resilience, public service, and unwavering commitment to cherished ideals that defines the Bush family narrative. Book 2: Barbara Bush: A Life of Grace and Service Explore the life of an extraordinary woman, Barbara Bush, whose grace, strength, and unwavering commitment to literacy and family values left an indelible mark on the nation. Her legacy extends far beyond the White House, touching hearts and minds across generations. Book 3: Jeb Bush and the 21st Century Republican Party Join us on a journey through the political career of Jeb Bush, a pivotal figure in shaping the Republican Party's modern direction. From his leadership in Florida politics to his pursuit of the presidency, Jeb's story embodies the enduring influence of the Bush family on the political landscape. Book 4: Bush Family Business: Oil, Politics, and Legacy Uncover the complex relationship between the Bush family and the energy sector in "Book 4." Delve deep into the intricate web of oil, politics, and their profound impact on both domestic and international affairs. This volume unravels the legacy of a family deeply connected to the ever-evolving landscape of energy and its lasting consequences. This exclusive bundle provides an unprecedented opportunity to explore the complexities, triumphs, and challenges that have shaped the Bush family's enduring legacy. Their story transcends politics and philanthropy; it is a testament to the boundless potential of individuals and families to make a profound and lasting impact on our world. Don't miss this chance to own the complete "Bush Family: Politics to Philanthropy" Book Bundle. Order now and embark on a captivating journey through the lives and legacies of a family that has left an indelible mark on American history and beyond.

The sociology of education is a rich interdisciplinary field that studies schools as their own social world as well as their place within the larger society. The field draws contributions from education, sociology, human development, family studies, economics, politics and public policy. Sociology of Education: An A-to-Z Guide introduces students to the social constructions of our educational systems and their many players, including students and their peers, teachers, parents, the broader community, politicians and policy makers. The roles of schools, the social processes governing schooling, and impacts on society are all critically explored. Despite an abundance of textbooks and specialized monographs, there are few up-to-date reference works in this area. Features & Benefits: 335 signed entries fill 2 volumes in print and electronic formats, providing the most comprehensive reference resource available on this topic. Cross-References and Suggestions for Further Reading guide readers to additional resources. A thematic "Reader's Guide" groups related articles by broad topic areas as one handy search feature on the e-Reference platform, which also includes a comprehensive index of search terms, facilitating ease of use by both on-campus students and distance learners. A Chronology provides students with historical perspective on the sociology of education.