Schools, their students, teachers and leaders, hold the future of this country in their hands.  Yes, it sounds like hyperbolic, but it is not.  The fiscal environment of education combined with changing demographics over the last decade or so coexisting with expanding career options and economic shifts has led to declining enrollment in teacher preparation programs. As a response, we hear emerging discussions about reducing the requirements for teacher certification and a growing charter system that in some cases, does not require teachers to be certified at all. This past week New York leaned into creating an alternative path to certification for teacher sin high achieving charter schools. The inevitable back lash is unleashed and the hostility between public and charter public schools continues. Should the rules for these two "competing systems" be the same. We say " yes".  Read more...