Why do Republicans oppose education reform?
An article in The Atlantic highlights the innovative student-centered learning approach being pioneered in Pittsfield, N.H. Seven years after the high school was identified as one of the state’s lowest-performing, fewer students are dropping out, more are graduating and attending college.
The program, in which Pittsfield is an incubator for an important experiment in education reform, was put in motion when the school district received a $1 million School Improvement Grant (SIG) from the U.S. Department of Education. The state’s adoption of Common Core and competency standards are key components:
Rather than becoming competing forces, this unique combination of circumstances provided Pittsfield with enviable synergies, education experts say. “One of the downfalls of personalized learning has often been a regression to the lowest standard,” said Sonja Santelises, vice president of K-12 policy and practice for the Washington, D.C.-based think tank Education Trust. The confluence of the Common Core, high school competencies, and student-centered learning in Pittsfield, said Santelises, offered “a rare opportunity” to set high expectations for learning that are supported by a rigorous and innovative instructional framework.
Both New Hampshire Republicans running for Congress support policies that would have thwarted this experiment in education reform. Frank Guinta wants to abolish the U.S. Department of Education. Marilinda Garcia says “that sounds like a good idea right now.” Guinta told Exeter Republicans he would vote for a bill to reject the Common Core standards. As a state Representative, Garcia did just that.