I didn't find that much in the report to disagree with. It seems to me that
the report as a whole doesn't address curriculum so much as capacity.
After you get past the first 15 pages which are a justification of the
NCLB law and more pages of boasting by some states, you get the actual
recommendations. I did stop and reread the part about the four main
principles of NCBL where is said "increasing flexibility for schools in
reaching goals:" to make sure I read it correctly. I don't see any
increased flexibility, I see less.
Anyway, for the 7 Actions steps and recommendations here are my comments
from first reading;
1. Strengthen Leadership -- This focuses on decision making we all need to
be in on this level. "Invest in leadershiop development programs to develop
a new generation of tech-savy leaders at every level", here is where the
librarians should be involved.
2. Consider Innovative Budgeting -- we can help here with information and
by reminding schools to spend budget wisely not just on technology but on
the supporting elements which include print.
3. Improve Teacher Training -- we talk about this often but this
recommendation talks more about teachers using data and measuring than
actual teaching.
4. Support E-Learning and Virtual Schools-- I am not sure they are on the
mark here. Online learning isn't necessarily better but the report seems to
think it is the answer.
5. Encourage Broadband Access -- nice to be sure but useless without the
other components such as workstations. It does address tech support however
6. Move Toward Digital Content -- This one perhaps affects us the most and
I would want libraries to take a lead in determing what digital content we
use and how we use it.
7. Integrate Data Systems -- All about data but also making sure that all
data is available to all decision makers. Can't argue with that unless the
data collection takes over the curriculum.
Deborah J. Stafford
Gen. H.H. Arnold High School
Wiesbaden Germany
now proudly on the web at http://www.wies-hs.eu.dodea.edu
Deborah_Stafford@compuserve.com
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