First of all, I teach in a building that is condemned. I'm amazed each morning when I show up and see that it hasn't burned down overnight. The roof leaks, there are electrical hazards and shorts, and the building itself is structurally unsound.
My small Washington State town has just rejected a new school construction bond -- for the fifth time.
Yet the reform debate about improving education continues unabated, ignoring very basic problems like this with (in my opinion) ridiculous conversations about test scores, international competition, and, of course, bad teachers. No one apparently has the guts to even speak of, let alone attempt, the following three simple, yet revolutionary, reforms to public education.
Here's a few ideas for reform of schools that have never been attempted:
1) Fully fund them. What would the affect on test scores and graduation rates be if schools had all the money they needed for more teachers, more support personnel, field trips, classroom supplies, and up to date facilities? What if education was as well funded say, as defense?
2) College is free. This is what almost every other industrialized country does. Ask any economist and they'll tell you it is a sound investment, a no brainer. The increased incomes of college graduates pay many more actual dollars in taxes over the course of a lifetime, and the Treasury will make our money back many times over all while having a more educated, more competitive and more productive population. Don't believe me? Look at what happened after the GI Bill following World War II. Some of the best money we have ever spent. In addition, think of the positive effect on student motivation if they know, no matter their financial status or background, they will be able to attend college if they work hard enough. Sounds like the American Dream to me.
3) Get teacher candidates in the classroom more often, and earlier - Education philosophy classes are fine, to a point, but almost everything I learned about actual teaching I learned from being in a classroom, from actually working with kids. We should have our schools become "teaching schools" just as we have "teaching hospitals". Let the experts train new teachers instead of college professors who are often far removed from the realities of public schools. Not to mention, this would provide for extra staffing and support for existing teachers with little added cost.
I'm tired of the merit pay argument. There's no fair way to assess it.
I'm tired of endless droning about test scores. They're fundamentally meaningless.
And I'm tired of being part of a profession that constantly has to walk around with a cup in our hand to obtain even the most basic funding.