Improving Schools-Reading Reaction

I found it interesting, especially in light of our recent discussions, how T&C talk about improving schools in their epilogue. Their conversation is geared toward specializing standards and practices depending on the dynamics of the classroom. They also say that finances, legislature, resources, are all necessary in improving instruction, but not sufficient. I think that T & C are able to touch on some important things that we have not discussed in depth in our class time. We have become appalled at the inequality in school funding, which IS a problem, and we have discussed the importance of having lawmakers speak for the teachers when considering reform. Yet T & C say this is not enough-school reform must come from schools adapting policies and solutions that will best suit individual school needs and circumstances. How will we measure success? Does this mean considering similar standards for all schools, but then allowing them to carry out any means necessary to fulfill them? If this were the case, I think that public schools might look very different than they do now. This type of freedom would require passionate teachers who are creative in dealing with various learning styles and student demographics. Should money be equally distributed according to school size, bearing in mind that the smallest school gets enough to fund properly educating students, and then teachers are paid the same salary? I don't know, but I am intrigued by the "freedom" schools might have if Tyack and Cuban's options were considered.

What is most important, and sometimes we lose sight of the fact, is student learning. We need to make this the top goal and achieve it, whatever the means. We need to increase the quality of education and better prepare teachers to deal with the variety of students in the classroom, especially today where there are many minority groups. Public education is one of America's best assets, as I have mentioned before. I think sometimes we take for granted being able to go to school for free, because many other countries do provide a free education. At the same time, it is our responsibility as a nation to be creating effective democratic citizens through public education, and equipping them with the tools to succeed.

Tyack and Cuban end their epilogue discussing how education is central to democracy. The purpose of public education has been distorted to a consumer product, which has resulted in the various types of schools that parents can send children to. Even in 1999, T and C knew that the public school landscape was changing, and that reforms needed to be made to ensure it will not fail as an institution. In 2009, we find ourselves in the same boat. Reforms need to be made to preserve public education for the asset it is, and we need to ensure that we are providing students with the knowledge they need to participate in a democracy.