The issue I addressed specifically was a minimum of skills for a functional citizen. The methods of instruction are huge factors involved in achieving said skills, but the skills still need to be measured. What is the point of teaching if one does not know the student has grasped the principles, and to locate where additional instruction is required?
I am not saying I like the current system of one test, one time and then that is what you are judged on. I am saying that there needs to be standards that are tested to see if the student needs more help, or if not if the student would benefit from moving forward and NOT doing repetitive tasks they don't require.
Because they deserve it? I believe they deserve accomodation in INSTRUCTION. But we cannot have 50 different standards for 50 different students or they will all spell TIME differently. There must be standards that are accepted, acknowledged and achieved.
To be totally honest...the whole federal government intervention into education is a fiasco. Twice as much money is spent on education (from the local level up) than is spent on defense. And this idea of accountability is great, but the method of achieving it is stupid.
But I still think there have to be standards or eye'll bee tiping lyke this and pople wil not unnersatnd anyfing.
Now I'm off to take my blood pressure medicine :)