Waiting for Superman - Part II

Waiting for Superman suggests some pretty monumental reforms in public education. While I agree that reforms are warranted, there are three very real conditions (there are actually more than three but these arguments should suffice for now) that preclude the drastic actions suggested by Davis Guggenheim.

First of all, a total overall of the schools, implied by the film, simply isn't warranted. There are plenty of public schools in urban, suburban and rural areas that are flourishing. Our charity works with a number of inner city schools and I would never alter their current terrific work. For example, Benjamin Banneker in New Orleans, is a case in point regarding their success with all levels and types of students. Quite simply, it is an inner city school that gets the job done and the reforms sought by Guggenheim aren't warranted in this school.

A second practical point needs to be made clear regarding Guggenheim's call to action. Even if reforms are made and new schools are created the time frame for making such alterations will take many years because of the thousands of current schools who need to keep their doors open. Those so called 'failing schools' will need support until such time that reforms can take place. The point is this, schools can't suddenly be torn down and closed overnight even if the need exists.

Finally, though Guggenheim taps into the work of KIPP and Geoffrey Canada, among others, I feel that he needs to look at some of the best public school practioners, teachers and building personel, who operate within the public school sector. I think he would find that there are literally thousands of very bright and thoughtful teachers who have created and implemented reforms within the current system and have carried them out successfuly. The whole system isn't rotten nor does the whole system need to be done away with.

Tomorrow, I will offer some ideas (solutions) to current problems that will enable growth and progress to continue within the current structure.

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Dick