According to the United States Department of Education, March 2010, The Obama Administration’s Blueprint for reform was created in response to the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. This reform is based upon and concentrated around four main areas. First, the blueprint aims to improve teacher and principal effectiveness to ensure that every classroom has an excellent teacher and so that each school has a positive leader. This will be done by treating teachers like the professionals they are, shifting focus from inputs to outcomes, strengthening teacher and leader preparation, and ensuring equitable distribution of effective teachers and leaders (Steve Robinson of the Domestic Policy Council in the White House).
In addition, the reform seeks to inform families in ways to evaluate and improve their child’s school as well as assisting educators in improving student learning. Furthermore the blueprint for reform implements college and career standards as well as improves student learning and achievement in America’s lowest performing schools with the use of effective interventions. The overarching principles of this reform seek to raise the bar for all students and close the gap as well as foster innovation and reward success (US Department of Education, 2010).
The Blueprint for Reform seeks to rectify concerns individuals have regarding the No Child Left Behind Act. Addressed in the blueprint for reform are several key issues the Obama Administration would like to focus on. A few of these include raising standards for all students, better assessments to determine whether students have acquired the skills necessary for success, and a complete and well-rounded education. Also, the blueprint for reform aims to fund states and districts to develop and support effective leaders and focus on ways to improve teacher effectiveness. States will monitor effectiveness of both traditional and alternative preparation programs as well as invest in school programs, which produce successful students.
Another area addressed by this blueprint looks to the states, districts, and the schools to seek the most challenging goal- for all students graduating high school to be college ready and to have a career by the year 2020. This has since changed from the 2014 deadline created by the Bush Administration. The Obama Administration is asking all states to adopt state-developed standards in areas of mathematics and language arts aiming toward student success in college as well as career-readiness when students graduate from high school (Kulman, 2010).
The Obama Administration also addresses an area concerning successful, safe, and healthy students. The blueprint for reform aims for community-wide services in high-poverty neighborhoods, extended learning time, family engagement, and safe schools. It is believed that family involvement is crucial to education and that student achievement is correlated with family involvement. The reform addresses policies to provide comprehensive services such as parenting education and social and community development services to children and families in poor neighborhoods hoping to reduce achievement gaps between races, ethnic groups, and social classes (Barnett, Glass, Welner, 2010).
In my opinion, I feel as though the Obama Administration has the best intentions possible in making our schools more successful by raising teaching standards and working to lessen the achievement gap. However, I am not sure their means to achieve this are realistic. In order to make this reform successful, I believe that individuals who have worked in the education field should have input and say as to how the blueprint should be implemented, which goals are realistic, and which goals should be tweaked.
In conclusion, A Blueprint for Reform sets high standards for states, districts, schools, communities, and leaders. This blueprint seeks many changes in order to benefit all students. According to the Obama Administration success will be seen by the year 2020 and the achievement gap will be significantly decreased as well as higher graduation rates seen amongst students.
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