"Education Reform" in Indiana

Mr. Elder speaks out against Daniels's education agenda.
http://www.indianasnewscenter.com/news/local/Teacher-Speaks-Out-Against-State-Education-Agenda-115772839.html

Seriously, I'm almost embarrassed to live in Indiana at times when Gov Daniels proposes education reform. His and the State Superintendent's educational reforms are some of the worst ideas I've heard, especially after you think about it for a while. Seriously, how does basing teacher's pay on standardized tests help students? You might say that the teachers would be more motivated to teach their students, but the problem is, that won't make a difference. Some students just don't want to learn, and there is nothing teachers can do to help them. Basing a teacher's pay on this is ridiculous. Another problem is the fact that not all teachers teach classes that are subjected to standardized tests, so there is no fair way to include them in this scheme. State standards for education are important; I agree we need to have some kind of standards. But these "one size fits all" solutions aren't that at all; they only fit some districts. By giving back local control to our schools, each district will be free to implement the solutions and reform that will help their students most. Ever since Daniels has entered office, he has implemented one screwup law after another that has led to a decrease in the quality of our education. From funding formulas based on free and reduced lunch counts to these new proposals, from a first-hand perspective, I can say that the quality of my education certainly has not gone up, if anything, it has gone down, due to all the budget cuts that we have had to make. Unfortunately, his departure from office will come too late to help me, but maybe future students and teachers will have a governor who puts education first and understands what helpful education reform is, like Frank O'Bannon. I can't wait to hear Daniels's response to Mr. Elder's email.

Remember, you're not my man Mitch!