Schools -- The Ultimate Agents of Social Change

Meredith Ely

People get seriously defensive -- with good reason -- at blanket statements about teaching and curriculum standards, accountability in schools, and teacher union authority. When discussing reform, subtle nuances get lost in politicized rhetoric and very personal experiences. Reform is framed almost as a holy war against a lethargic, failing school system, and as a result we see an insurgency among educators who are working to the bone and given minimal resources.

We do not have a failing school system. We have a system that fails poor children. I am sure every district, wealthy or not, has a set of very legitimate obstacles, but in terms of reform, this is not about a flawed school system generally. Reform must be about the achievement gap.

Posted by Jim Zellmer at November 9, 2010 2:44 AM
Subscribe to this site via RSS/Atom: Newsletter signup | Send us your ideas