I think the reason this is and continues to happen is due to several reasons-
1- RTTT was not created by educators but by business leaders who think they know what is good for kids.
2- It was also created without listening to the very loud voices of educational researchers who continually state that the program's features are not educationally sound and that research has shown them to be ineffective (but what do business leaders care about research- to them education is a business and they want to see $$).
3- Our secretary of education does not even have a degree in education...how he got this position is beyond me. He has never taught in a classroom- and although you may see him state he has worked with afterschool programs... Afterschool programs are nothing like a school day packed with quality instruction.
4- They are bringing big business to testing and evaluation companies when we already test our students too much. I believe in formative assessment that drives instruction but all these standardized tests do not help instruction. They focus on one single thing- a score... not the students growth in all areas (emotional, social, etc.) and for most students...that doesn't work!
5- Well, I could go on and on but what's the point because 'they' continue to belittle what teachers have to say... this is a sad state of education and it will not work. I'm sure we will see more changes with a new president but then here we go again with creating more (new) programs without sticking to what works....
