Schools are local entities, basically funded by mostly local taxes and are subsidized by state and national government funds. Lobbies exist, even if shrouded in sheep's clothing.  There has been no time in recent memory when discussion of school improvement was not in the news, or on the minds of leaders, boards, parents, communities, and politicians. Each has a vested interest in the quality of education.  There are the plethora of businesses that offer advice through professional development, lawyers that advise schools on policies, organizations that offer conferences and support, accountants who assure fiscal compliance, and there are tech companies who supply all types of technology, electricians who wire the buildings to support those technologies, and a myriad of others whose livelihoods are education dependent. There are the smaller, hidden lobbies. Summer camps for the wealthy might resist a national change in school schedules diminishing their two-month business window. Unions might rally against a twelve-month school year. The coalitions of vested interests begin to form and the status quo is defended. And, with all the local control we do enjoy, how on earth could sweeping changes to schools across the country be made, really? ...Read more...