When you see firsthand how cities like Chicago handle education, it’s very easy to become mistrustful. Race to the Top is just a pretty way of saying NCLB. It’s a race! There’s a promise of funding to be won. Since when did funding become a prize? Winner take all? We have next to no technology at our grammar school. The techie is Mr. Tony. I mean, come on. Mr. Tony? Is that a techie or a hairdresser? Yes, that’s a cheap shot. I’ve met him. He seems like a nice guy. But I just don’t see the Chicago Public schools entering even the 1990s any time soon. I’ve been in more than one school, and the emphasis is on teaching to the test. Still. How does that give anyone a well rounded education? I am guessing that charter schools are not the magic bullet. Certainly not when it comes to special ed. Our older, severely handicapped daughter just started in one. Right off the bat I am dubious about what charter schools are about. This one is designed in such a way that all Special Ed kids are segregated from the rest of the population. Sadly, in this particular area not many choices. Even more of crapshoot as far as teachers go. My daughter was written off when she was three, although no one came out and said so. But they did when she was six. The school psychologist said that she was a happy child and would have a good life. No plan for literacy. It is all glorified pre-school.

I would like to see more alternative schools. Hell, I’d like to even form one. But I have no money and no idea where to even start. And I am not just talking about our older daughter in special ed. I am talking about all kinds of kids, who like me, are differently brained. So many of us could have benefited from more innovative learning. I, for instance, was plenty smart, but emotionally immature. My husband is Mr. MIT. Nicknamed The Brain. He helped himself. No gifted programs for us. No smart but socially backwards classes either. I like Ira Socol’s suggestions of “IEPs for all,” but I have no idea how to begin to implement that. But it makes a great deal of sense to me.

Scott, I’m not convinced that choice is the real reason “chartered” schools have become so popular. I think mistrust is more at the heart of the matter.

Sadly, however, it’s been my experience that far too many people have to learn the hard way that public schools really aren’t a bad way to get a rounded education.

People like choice. Are there ways to create more student/family choices in traditional, non-charter schools? And, if so, can we do that without sacrificing historical goals related to common schooling, mass socialization, and equitable opportunity?

Steve, this article also states, “and the evidence is indisputable: you can’t improve student learning without improving instruction.” Which is a tautology I’d prefer to forgo. http://www.ecs.org/html/Document.asp?chouseid=7679

On the whole, then, teachers make no difference.

Officially peer-reviewed.