Great article. Note that all of the failed reforms, and others not discussed, share one fundamental problem. They are all top-down reforms. We could include Common Core curriculum reform (also associated with testing) requiring schools to may Adequate Yearly Progress or face consequences (No Child Left Behind), Teach for America, the Gates Foundation Small High Schools project.
Meanwhile successful grass roots innovations are ignored. Community schools, wrap around services, working to improve attendance by finding out why students are afraid of school.... There are ways to improve instruction. We need to fund ideas that work and spread them around, just like the coaches do.
Community schools - and others you mention - are critical. They work b/c they are what is needed - and we know this b/c it is what educators routinely ask for - and what parents and communities grow to count on. Of course, these ideas are not often money makers for big NPOs or consultants.
Great article. Note that all of the failed reforms, and others not discussed, share one fundamental problem. They are all top-down reforms. We could include Common Core curriculum reform (also associated with testing) requiring schools to may Adequate Yearly Progress or face consequences (No Child Left Behind), Teach for America, the Gates Foundation Small High Schools project.
Meanwhile successful grass roots innovations are ignored. Community schools, wrap around services, working to improve attendance by finding out why students are afraid of school.... There are ways to improve instruction. We need to fund ideas that work and spread them around, just like the coaches do.
Community schools - and others you mention - are critical. They work b/c they are what is needed - and we know this b/c it is what educators routinely ask for - and what parents and communities grow to count on. Of course, these ideas are not often money makers for big NPOs or consultants.