Most of the current efforts to improve public education begin with the flawed assumption that the basic problem is teacher performance.
This "blame the teacher" attitude has led to an emphasis on standardized tests, narrow teacher evaluation criteria, merit pay, erosion of tenure, privatization, vouchers and charter schools.
The primary goal of these measures has been greater teacher accountability - as if the weaknesses of public education were due to an invasion of our classrooms by uncaring and incompetent teachers.
That is the premise of the documentary, "Waiting for Superman," and of the attacks on teachers and their unions by politicians across the country.
In education as in industry, progress toward quality will require collaboration among administrators, teachers and their unions.
This "blame the teacher" attitude has led to an emphasis on standardized tests, narrow teacher evaluation criteria, merit pay, erosion of tenure, privatization, vouchers and charter schools.
The primary goal of these measures has been greater teacher accountability - as if the weaknesses of public education were due to an invasion of our classrooms by uncaring and incompetent teachers.
That is the premise of the documentary, "Waiting for Superman," and of the attacks on teachers and their unions by politicians across the country.
In education as in industry, progress toward quality will require collaboration among administrators, teachers and their unions.