Thursday, October 18th 2007
Education Debate Recap
Tonight was the education debate between the Cal Berkeley Democrats and the Berkeley College Republicans. It was moderated by the Informal Debate Society. The Cal Dems were represented by Ayesha and John, while BCR was represented by Kyle and Derek. Both sides had a freshman debate for them.
BCR’s plan was for the state to give each student a $5,500 voucher. This would allow many students to attend private schools of their parent’s choice. The Dems said privatization was bad and more money should be spend on public schools.
Both sides agreed No Child Left Behind had some bad aspects and standardized tests would only be useful if they tested the right things.
In the context of technology in the classroom, the Dems said doing math on slate boards like they did hundreds of years ago will not help a person with jobs today.
I commend the debaters for their participation. I think BCR came off looking better, but I can be biased.
What was the Dem approach for teaching math?
Comment by B.A.D. — 10/18/2007 @ 11:38 pm
I don’t remember them covering a math teaching policy. The slate board comment was in the context of having new technology in the classroom so students can learn how to use computers and calculators.
Comment by Christopher Page — 10/19/2007 @ 10:42 am