[tswaney]

snowman,

I agree, mostly, with your final proposition regarding tracking students towards future goals, even though the current system does that to some extent. Example: you typically won't find the kids taking AP Chemistry, Physics, Calculus, AP Biology ending up as the fast food workforce, ditchdiggers... How early in life would you propose this segregation? Jr. High, Elem. School, High School? I am honestly interested.

I also agree with the concept of graduation being dependant upon testing so that certain standards are met. Are these standards to be determined by the Feds? the States? the local school boards?

I don't fully understand your postion on NCLB legislation, however. Earlier in this thread, you praise NCLB, yet in your last post you appear to say that not all students can achieve the standards. Specifically, your second, third and fourth paragraphs regarding the "PC crowd". I wouldn't have considered the proponents of NCLB to be "the PC crowd."

I am a product of public ed. Are you from a public or private ed. background? You may have already answered this and I missed it. If so, my apologies.

I too am unhappy about weakening curricular standards for any reason.