School Improvement Initiatives Seem to be More “Show” than “Go"

In the third 2000 Presidential debate, democratic candidate Al Gore proudly announced his intentions for the future, “I am for gun-free schools!”  He said so emphatically as if the idea was a breakthrough.

His opponent responded, “Did I miss something?  He says he’s for gun-free schools.  Who isn’t?”

Fast forward almost 11 years and we have a theme that has been around for years. In his State of the Union speech, President Obama made it clear that he was for high standards for schools and quality education for all students.

Well, who isn’t?

The president is not the only one with such lofty words of expectation.  It is a common rhetoric that’s been around for awhile.  The thing that seems to keep the “show” from a proper “go” is the how.  Here are some examples:

Show: The president has claimed that we are in this generation’s “Sputnik” moment, imploring schools to stress Math and Science.

The Go: Participation in science fairs is dwindling, and student performance in science is still low across the country, especially in minority populations.  There has been no change in the view of how science should be taught.  It’s more of the same, but with more tests.

Show: Many, including the president, are calling for an end to No Child Left Behind and wholesale change to the education systems nationwide.

The Go: Race to the Top (RTTT) has increased the emphasis in and frequency of testing.  More instruction time than ever is taken away for testing and the amount will grow over the next few years.  RTTT funds were dispersed very lopsidedly to the East coast and are being spent mostly on consultants and new hires at state agencies.  Very little if any money will see the classroom.

Show:  “We need high academic standards”.

The Go: Creation of Common Core Standards.  Consultants have made a good deal of money on it thus far.  There is more to be made in curriculum alignments and crosswalk documents.  Teachers were not part of the process and still no one knows how the new standards will affect them.  South Dakota has already decided to not use standards for Social Studies, even though the state have previously committed to adopt the standards. 

Show: “We will replace ineffective teachers and principals and replace them with good ones.”

The go: We may need more thought on how we are going to do that. Teachers and principals don’t grow on trees. 

The show: “We need to have students college-ready and get more kids into college."

The go:  College degrees are issued in record numbers, but they seem to mean less and less.  A new study shows that college students really don’t learn much in their years in college and that college may be a severe waste mistake for many kids.  This may be related to a former “go” in that kids are told that the ultimate path is through a four year university and that working with your hands is for “lower people.”  Unfortunately, it is the sciences that get looked over as a result.

Ok – enough doom and gloom.  There are answers out there and the answers are solid.  Charter schools, home schools, and independent schools have experimented for years on a micro level and have had success.  In some cases, wild success.  You can find some examples here, here, here, and here.  

Arne Duncan, nor anyone at a high national level seem to see the opportunities in learning from the worker bees.  Until they do, the money will keep pouring to their handpicked consultants for solutions that do not solve much.