1. Chapter 3 Challenges of School Reform
EDF 2005
Chapter 3
Challenges of School Reform

2. Change: Educators’ Constant Companion
Is change comfortable?
Education changed by social and political environments
Rate of change is fast
Cultural changes (ethnicities, languages)
Backgrounds & abilities
Technological changes
Discussion: Affluent vs. non-affluent homes – Public school responsibility?
Education as a political platform
Teachers MUST stay informed…

3. Systemic Reform
A Nation at Risk: The Imperative for Educational Reform (National Commission on Excellence in Education, 1983)
Education in past was excellent
Education now is poor – settling for mediocrity
Data does not support this document
Debates on educational improvement – Who decides?
Is accountability necessary?
What about standardization? – Is there such a thing?
What do low scores indicate?

4. Systemic Reform Definition: Responding proactively to multiple issues
Outcome goals
School choice
Redesigning teacher responsibility and compensation
Implementing federal Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration programs

5. Systemic Reform Outcome Goals
Emphasize results or effects of instruction
Former emphasis on Input Goals
Isn’t it more realistic to focus more on what is coming out of schools rather than what is being put into them?
Input is important, but outcome determines effectiveness

6. School Choice
Allowing parents to decide what school is best for their children rather than going to the one in their attendance zone
Proponents conclude:
Product (students’ education) will be made better through competition for clients (learners)
Schools can focus on one area rather than many
Diversity can spread schools too thin with effective delivery
Schools cannot possibly respond to all needs of all students

7. School Choice Advantages:
Learners from low-income families can avoid “mediocre” schools
Families will have increased interest because they are actively involved
Competition leads to improved quality
Students will be at an advantage because the school they are in has been chosen to fit their needs

8. School Choice Voucher Plans
Monies allocated for students moves with that student
Debates arise over public vs. private schooling using the voucher system

9. School Choice Voucher Plans Supporters:
Provide a way for parents and students to find a balance between public and private benefits
People can make decisions rather than decisions being made for them
For competition to thrive, alternatives should include public and private schools
People in lower socio-economic environments will have same opportunities as others

10. School Choice Voucher Plans Critics:
Parents will focus more on issues rather than quality of academics
Culture of school
Beliefs about teachers and staff
Test scores
Alternative schools will be created to meet needs of low-income families
When vouchers are used, religious schools are the dominant choice
Vouchers (public tax monies) are used to pay for private schooling
Eventually, public schools will have only “leftovers”

11. School Choice Charter Schools
Semiautonomous public schools
Free from excessive regulation
Proponents:
Same arguments as voucher plans
More cost-effective due to control of money
Opponents:
Money is taken away from school system
Supporters exaggerate problems with the school systems
Research has shown less satisfaction with charter schools???

12. School Choice Open-Enrollment Plans Magnet Schools
Similar to voucher plans without tax dollars being given directly to parents
Administration has final say to maintain control over racial balance, etc.
Magnet Schools
Focus on a particular theme (science, arts)
Entry requirements

13. Redesigned Teacher-Compensation Schemes
Knowledge and Skills-Based Pay
Salaries are beginning to increase as a result of need and accountability
Teacher performance can lead to salary increases
Merit Pay
Should academic performance of students determine salary increases of teachers?

14. Comprehensive School Reform Demonstration Programs
Read on your own (P )

15. No Child Left Behind Act of 2001
Public Law (2002)
Basic principle is ACCOUNTABILITY
Outlines what all students should learn at each grade level based on state standards
Schools required to meet AYP standards
Progress in all subgroups
Provides data – Data leads to accountability – Accountability leads to parent options
Highly qualified teachers
AYP Reports:

16. School-Business Partnerships
Others taking interest in schools
Stakeholders with input
Colleges and universities
Developers? – Reciprocated?
Tech-Prep Programs – Vocational Ed.
School-to-Work Opportunities Act

17. Full-Service Schools Bringing all support services to one location
The one stop shop approach – “Wal-Mart philosophy of service” (Mabry, 2006)
Day-to-day education and instruction
After-school care
Medical and dental services
Adult education for parents
Family and social services support
Legal services
Substance abuse treatment
Counseling services
Emergency treatment
Liability?
(Wagner, 2000)