I must have touched a nerve...

...because I have had more people approach me on the school/education/teacher issue than any other. This issue obviously interests many, but I think the edu-bureaucracy would be fooling themselves to ignore at least a significant minority who believe our system is heading the wrong direction.

A very common theme I have heard is a...not fear, per se, but an unwillingness to speak out on the issue. One woman told me she didn't want to rock the boat because her "kids are still in school." One fella said that he "still has to do business in this town." I mention these thoughts not to suggest that anyone involved in education would do anything improper, but merely to point out that the organization of those in the system probably operates to limit, if not stifle, a portion of what might otherwise be open debate on the topic.

Another gentleman raised a very interesting analogy. He said that public education right now is a bit like "Detroit at the beginning of the invasion of the Japanese imports." He said those involved in the system don't even see "it" coming. "It," I suppose, is what this man believes will be the inevitable revolution against the status quo in the education system. I should note that he is in good company; even Bill Gates says our high school system is obsolete.

The bottom line, I think, is that very few people are happy with the present system. The teachers no doubt feel they are underpaid and under siege. I am sure the administrators grow weary of approaching the governing boards, year after year, hats in hand, looking for more money. The consumers of the system are not happy because they see the rest of the world passing our students by. What's the answer?

More money?

Raises for teachers and health insurance for their spouses?

How about accountability? Not just accountability in students' test scores such as required by No Child Left Behind, but also accountability in reform. In other words, how about giving the establishment whatever it wants for 5 years. If they can meet high benchmark goals, fine. If not, throw the doors open. Charter Schools, vouchers, home schooling, you name it.

Some will argue those in control of the system have already had enough time and the time for change is now. I don't know if that's true, but there have to be more solutions than "more money."