What School Reform Should Look Like

Plenty of programs, laws, and policies have been initiated in recent years in the name of school reform. From NCLB to charter schools to state testing to turnarounds to school closings, plenty has taken place over the past couple of decades.

I have great doubts about the effectivenss of most of these because I believe the essence of school reform, from its inception, is misguided. By that, I am referring to the meaning of school reform.

The idea of school reform should have one simple parameter...what can be done to best serve the learner. Notice I didn't say what can be done to raise test scores.

Closing one school and opening another, in and of itself, doesn't necessarily address the idea of best serving the learner. Does a charter necessarily meet the criteria I've suggested? Not really. Firing an entire staff, and replacing them, doesn't necessarily get the job done either.

You want school reform? Here's what it looks like...

a) Provide excellent teachers
b) Get the resources needed to the students and teachers
c) Strive for improvement
d) Put good leadership in each school building
e) Set high expectations
f) Don't worry about test scores
g) Maintain stability within the school
h) government agencies, and others, have to address neighborhood poverty rather than shuttering school buildings
i) Provide a comprehensive education that doesn't merely focus on one or two subjects
j) Engage students, believe in them, convince them that education will make a difference.

Thanks,
Dick