THE SCHOOL REFORM HANDBOOK
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IntroductionW
e Americans cherish our educational tradition. We have always been able to measure the success of our country and our culture by the character of our schools. But nothing is perfect.The schools are in a constant state of reform. In the process, they have not measured up to our needs or our standards. Sadly, the quality of our schools has declined. Now the call for real, meaningful reform is growing louder. In a time of growing competition from abroad, and social upheaval at home, more and more Americans are demanding to know why, and more importantly, what can be done.
How bad is it? SAT scores have declined so dramatically in the last thirty years that scores are being readjusted along a curve to make students look better. Nationally, less than three-quarters of high school freshmen graduate four years later. In an urban setting this number drops to less than half. Of those who do finish, more than half of twelfth grade graduates leave with restricted abilities in reading and math. And that doesn't account for the nearly one million students who have already dropped out.
Remember the words to that old favorite song, "School Days: When We Were a Couple of Kids?"
"School days, school days, dear old golden rule days. Reading and 'riting and 'rithmetic...."
These words are not mere nostalgia, but words, that for many of us, still ring true. Most of us do believe that the schools should be teaching the 3 R's first and foremost. And most of us would like to believe that our schools are safe havens for our little ones.
But in reality, too many children leave school without knowing even the basics in reading, writing and math, let alone history, science and literature. Stories about metal detectors being installed and children found carrying guns and knives are all too common. This might seem incredulous to some. Others may simply ignore such reports because, perhaps, they think their school is fine. There are extraordinary people working in the schools daily to make sure our children are well-educated and safe. But that is not always the case, and today schools that excel are the exception, not the rule. Those who continue to believe everything is A-Ok would be truly stunned to discover just how far away the schools have gotten from the business of educating.
That is why parents, teachers, businesses and civic leaders, nationwide, have begun to demand changes. From community to community across the country, a true grassroots movement has sprung up to bring back control and excellence to our schools. Independent charter schools are starting up across the country, businesses are joining with schools to bring innovative programs to children, and foundations are reaching out to those less fortunate to provide them with the opportunity for a solid education and a sound future. A new level of accountability is being demanded of schools as they come under closer scrutiny from parents, educators and communities actively determined to repave the road education will take into the twenty-first century.
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The Center for Education Reform
(CER) is a national, independent, non-profit advocacy organization founded in 1993 to provide support to individuals and groups who are working to bring fundamental reforms to their schools. CER is the leading authority for information on innovative reforms in education and works in states and communities across the country to advance the cause of educational excellence.· · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · · ·
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