| During his presidency, George W. Bush enacted | | | | It is easy to assign standards to inanimate |
| "No Child Left Behind" to ensure the educational | | | | objects, but some argue that it cannot be applied |
| system of the United States produces high quality | | | | to a standard of living. In a factory setting, when |
| students. While this move was somewhat political, | | | | something does not adhere to standards, it is |
| the message was important - but it was not the | | | | changed, eliminated, altered or a number of other |
| first. Government statistics show the government | | | | solutions. In the factory, the blame is placed on |
| has spent nearly $200 billion since 1965 to | | | | the materials. In education, where do you place |
| improve the nation's educational system. What | | | | the blame? You cannot change the student, even |
| may come as a surprise to some is that Bush's | | | | with instructional design. |
| efforts have actually produced measurable | | | | Government leaders are starting to recognize this |
| improvements. | | | | problem and instead of looking to the students, |
| As a teacher, where do you fit in this effort to | | | | they are now looking at the teachers. While these |
| make improvements? As a professional, you do | | | | individuals play a critical role in the classroom and |
| your best, but is it good enough? In truth, your | | | | in the quality of education delivered to students, |
| approach to instructional design will go a long way | | | | can outcomes be changed simply by tightening |
| to producing the highest quality in the classroom. | | | | standards? Will it impact their expectations? |
| The problem is that not all teachers share the | | | | Expectations |
| same expectations for students. At the same | | | | Teachers have specific expectations for their |
| time, not all teachers agree on what constitutes | | | | students. These expectations arise from their |
| quality. Some teachers might expect different | | | | own beliefs and values, although they can also be |
| things out of a specific group of students who | | | | influenced by outside sources. Changing standards |
| present different abilities, cultures or | | | | and associating them with a teacher's pay can |
| socioeconomic status. | | | | motivate teachers to spend more time with their |
| The problem with government spending is that | | | | students and through instructional design, improve |
| these agencies do not recognize the source of | | | | performance. This is not, however, changing |
| low expectations as displayed in instructional | | | | expectations. |
| design and instead just raise the expectations | | | | It is important for these programs to address the |
| through mandated programs and higher standards. | | | | changes that are necessary to improve overall |
| These policies suggest that standards and | | | | performance. In understanding where teachers |
| expectations are linked in some direct way. | | | | obtain their basis for their expectations, policy |
| Proving whether or not they are can make the | | | | makers can influence the necessary changes to |
| difference in seeing if these programs are | | | | see measureable improvements in the education |
| successful. | | | | system. These improvements can be obvious in |
| Standard | | | | the instructional design and in overall scores. |
| Standards were at one point more at home in a | | | | In reality, standards and expectations are not the |
| factory setting than the educational system. In | | | | same thing. Until policy makers understand the |
| essence, a standard is an external criteria against | | | | difference, it is unlikely this overall system will |
| which certain "products" are measured. According | | | | change to ensure no child is actually left behind. |
| to Diane Ravitch, author of National Standards in | | | | If you're ready to start experiencing the benefits |
| American Education: A Citizen's Guide, suggested | | | | of using video in the classroom, your next step is |
| that standards improved the daily lives of | | | | to download a free copy of "The 7 Biggest |
| Americans and could also improve the | | | | Mistakes Teachers Make Using Video in the |
| effectiveness of American education. | | | | Classroom" by clicking on the link below right now. |