Obama'a Education Policy

• What should we do to improve American public schools?
• Whose responsibility is it to improve public schools (local/state &/or the national government)?
• What do you think of Obama's new initiative Race to the Top as his way to deal with the problems of No Child Left Behind?

To improve the quality of our discussion I'd like to encourage you to use think tank research. See two articles below. Good luck!

Remember this is your last post for this class... EVER. :)

Post due on Friday, March 26th by 7pm.

Brookings Institute:
http://www.brookings.edu/interviews/2009/0313_education_whitehurst.aspx"
"The Brookings Institution is a nonprofit public policy organization based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to conduct high-quality, independent research and, based on that research, to provide innovative, practical recommendations that advance three broad goals:

• Strengthen American democracy;
• Foster the economic and social welfare, security and opportunity of all Americans and
• Secure a more open, safe, prosperous and cooperative international system.

Brookings is proud to be consistently ranked as the most influential, most quoted and most trusted think tank."

Heritage Foundation:
http://www.heritage.org/Research/Reports/2010/01/A-Smarter-Path-to-a-Race-to-the-Top-in-Education-Reform
"Founded in 1973, The Heritage Foundation is a research and educational institution—a think tank—whose mission is to formulate and promote conservative public policies based on the principles of free enterprise, limited government, individual freedom, traditional American values, and a strong national defense."

Response to post 4

Respond to someone from the period you are not in. Try to pick someone who you disagree with. Respond to their post using evidence and citing your sources.

This is your second to the last time you'll be posting on this blog. :( The blog will miss you.

Due by 7pm on Monday 3/15

Post 4: Due 3/8

The Supreme Court is hearing a case that asks the Court whether the Second Amendment should be incorporated. Background on the case can be found at National Public Radio. For your post address the following questions:
*Should the Second Amendment be incorporated and applied to the states?
*What rights should gun owners have? What types of guns should be allowed? What types of restrictions should be allowed? What parameters do you think the Courts should use when deciding the limits of the Second Amendment?

Due by 7pm on Monday, March 8th. Also Happy International Women's Day for the ladies in the class on 3/8. ;)

Response to post 3

Respond to the post of your choice from post 3. Find your own research to argue for or against the issue your peer wrote about for their persuasive letter. Be sure to cite your information in your post and to use at least 4 sources. You can either respond as yourself or if it'll make you happy - you can role play as the senator in your response. I look forward to reading your response.

Post is due by 7pm on Thursday, March 4th.