Educational leaders find themselves in an interesting position. After years of public criticism of public education from one faction or another, we are, with health care and defense, at center stage nationally. On that stage with us are those in powerful policy positions who are advocates of vouchers and charters to fix a broken system. Ironically, we do not see it as broken, though we agree it may need some work. So, we enter the drama in the role of the resistance. And, we know that, in these times especially, being proponents of any status quo with a governmental bureaucracy attached is an unpopular place to be.

So, we must consider the question....with the national spotlight on us, can we change the focus? Can we become the model of one governmental system, that works well locally, and rally a base to support us while still acknowledging that we all need to get better and, in some places, challenged and failing schools need new kinds of help? As a profession it seems we are all painted with the same dark brush, as failing to educate students effectively for this century and to high standards. We are advocates for systemic change but not for throwing out a system that has worked well to serve our economy and our democracy. It has also lead most people to have a story they can tell of a teacher who influenced their lives positively. To be not the best we can be does not make us bad... or does it? Read more...