http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052970204886304574308442726348678.html

What does Race to the Top mean for teachers' unions?

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/07/21/education/21standards.html?_r=0

What happens when states adopt the national standards?

http://www.education.com/magazine/article/pros-cons-race-to-the-top/

This article outlines the focus of Obama's Race to the Top and critiques what effects charter schools will have and what this legislation could mean for rural school districts.

Articles like this should be motivation enough to make education reform a priority in the US. I was surprised that FL was noted to have more equality because I thought it was known that FL had a lower quality of public education when compared to the rest of the country (though I suppose it has been improving). I love the quote at the end of the article: "The fact that some states have eliminated these disparities proves that if we make this a priority of policy it can be done." I believe education disparity is a conquerable issue and it does need to be a high priority.

I am always interested by the information surrounding the importance of early education. Education starts at home. When children are not prepared for school, the disparity only increases as they progress through school. I love the idea of home visits that the Ironbound program provides. This service ensures that the child is in a stimulating environment at school and at home. I think this is incredibly helpful for mothers who need support in overwhelming situations. With the myriad of factors that affect education, programs such as Ironbound and Headstart have a lot to combat. Despite the challenges, I think they provide the foundation that children need in order to be most successful in their futures.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/bill-bigelow/constitution-day-_b_1882031.html

Loewen makes clear the point that test book publishers omit truths from textbooks for the sake of glorifying American historical figures and promoting patriotism. He makes clear that the inaccuracies in history textbooks provide a disservice our country's students, which this article also stresses.

(pg.9) "Not understanding their past renders many Americans incapable of thinking effectively about our present and future."