"Insufficient Educational Standards: A Critical Issue" by Robert Cale

Are qualified, exemplary teachers teaching our children? Does the quality of our children's education meet sufficient standards? In Diane Ravitch's article, "Put Teachers to the Test," she answers with a resounding "no." Her article's primary goal--to put an end to low national teaching standards and requirements--is indeed a noteworthy cause, which is similarly felt by many fellow scholars. However, despite the article's coherency and consistent supporting evidence, closer examination of "Put Teachers to the Test" …

…describes how best to mend this quandary, she falls somewhat short. No matter how much conviction she holds, Ravitch fails to achieve decisive effectiveness because her one-sided data, her opinionated and even faulty logic, and her inability to recognize weaknesses within her argument which opposition would immediately dispute. More importantly, Ravitch fails to realize that positive alternatives, namely improved teacher-preparation programs, would still fulfill our sole aim to provide a suitable education for our young.