TOK class 2/14
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We continued our discussions about school assessment. For the first 30 minutes
of class we split into groups to discuss the three following questions:

1) What is a reliable, accurate system to assess the performance of all the
   public schools?

2) Once we have identified schools that are not doing so well, how do we
   help them? 

3) What are some of the difficulties in implementing these ideas?

Here are some of the ideas discussed with respect to the first question :

1) Pay teachers more.
2) Allocate money based on needs for physical improvements, and earmark
   the money for that purpose.
3) Assess the teachers instead of the students. Give the teachers higher
   benchmarks to meet. (Probably in the form of a test, and some classroom
   observation.)
4) If we use the letter system, still allocate money equally, but only let
   the A and B schools choose where the money goes. The state will help the
   other schools with allocation of funds.
5) Have the FCAT test more than just reading and arithmetic. Include science,
   social studies, etc.
6) Set up better comprehensive state syllabuses for all the different subject
   areas, to raise the bar for high school graduation.

Some of the issues raised, related to these ideas were:

1) How much more money do we really have to pay the teachers? Is it enough
   to significantly improve the quality of teachers in schools?

2) How much does the physical condition of a school affect the learning going
   on in that school?

3) At a school with a poor grade, does the local administration know the
   needs of the school better than state officials?

4) Just because a teacher does well on tests of knowledge in their area,
   are they necessarily going to be a good teacher?

5) Is it realistic to add multiple subject areas to the FCAT?