Bush vs. Bush (A Think)

The New York Times reports that Governor Jeb Bush of Florida is taking issue with his brother, President George Bush, over the quality of the federal educational policy package, No Child Left Behind. Florida's school improvement program which grades schools on a scale of A - F is vastly different than the federal policy that uses a pass-fail system. The article explains:

These contradictions became especially notable in Florida in the summer of 2003, when 1,200 of the state’s 3,050 schools earned A’s from the state. At the same time, more than 950 of the top-rated schools failed to make adequate yearly progress under the federal law. Similar discrepancies re-emerged in 2004, 2005 and 2006.

The article suggests that the most striking fact is that Jeb Bush is speaking out about the discrepancy. Throughout his brother's presidency, the article explains, Governor Bush has remained a dutiful little brother. But, now his different stance might provide ammunition for the President's political opponents.


Lesson Ideas:
1. Ask students if they think that either the states or the federal government should have an interest in ensuring that as many children learn school skills as possible. Ask them to explain why. You might ask them to write a quick-blog on this topic.
2. The Constitution of the United States does not assign authority to oversee the nation's education system to the federal government. This means that the authority has been left to the states. Throughout the history of our nation, states have traditionally left this authority to locally elected school boards. (The federal government cannot require states to give tests to their students. But states must give tests if they want to receive money for education from the federal government.) Ask students who they think should have authority over education. Encourage them to provide reasons supporting each of the levels of government having authority and reasons why they should not have this authority.
3. Governor Bush is speaking out about the federal education legislation. Ask students to write a script in which they examine a conversation between the Bushes on whether or not Jeb should speak out. You might have students podcast this discussion.
4. The federal legislation says that "all children should be able to read." Governor Bush has said that the goal of having "all children" able to read is unrealistic. Everybody agrees that with the world's current level of medical and scientific knowledge, some people will never be able to read. Ask students if they think it's smart to have a policy that will not be able to be realized. Encourage them to explain their answers.
5. Tell students that the an "independent think tank" has asked them to suggest ways to improve the nation's schools. In groups of three or four ask students to list five ways to ensure that our nation's school are as good as they can be. After small grousp have listed these five ideas, you might reconvene the class and try to come up with five ideas representing the entire class.

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