Problems In Education And Society

10 Pages 2432 Words

Plan; an eight year plan designed to
raise the standards of education. This plan changed the requirements
for graduation by raising the number of credits needed for graduation,
raising the number of required core curriculum classes such as social
studies, and introduced technology and computer science. The plan
also introduced the Regents Minimum Competency Tests, which requires a
student to pass tests in five major categories; math, science,
reading, writing, and two areas of social studies. Although the plan
achieved many of its goals in raising standards of education in N.Y.
State, the general consensus is that we need to continue to improve
our education system rather than being satisfied with the achievements
we have made thus far.
Therefore, N.Y. adopted "The New Compact for Learning". This
plan is based on the principles that all children can learn. The
focus of education should be on results and teachers should aim for
mastery, not minimum competency. Education should be provided for all
children and authority with accountability should be given to
educators and success should be rewarded with necessary changes being
made to reduce failures. This plan calls for curriculum to be devised
in order to meet the needs of students so that they will be fully
functional in society upon graduation, rather than just being able to
graduate. Districts within the state have been given the authority to
devise their own curriculum, but are held accountable by the state so
that each district meets the states goals that have been established.
Teachers are encouraged to challenge students to reach their full
potential, rather than minimum competency. In this regard, tracking
of students is being eliminated so that all students will be
challenged, rather than just those who are gifted. Similarly, success
should be rewarded with recognition and incentives to further
encou...