Partnerships For Reform

By Don Davies

In more than 30 years as a self-styled school reformer and critic of the educational status quo, I have learned one lesson over and over from observing or being involved in many, many failed reform attempts and a few wonderful successes.

Significant changes at the school level are most likely to happen when there is consumer demand for change and when the reform effort includes families and communities in partnership with educators. Such a simple lesson. But so hard for educators, administrators, and political leaders to learn. Or, perhaps I must blame my teaching skill, not the reluctant learners.

I want to try one more time. The double lesson of consumer demand and family-community-teacher partnerships should be applied today by those who are interested in capitalizing on the opportunity that the Goals 2000: Educate America Act presents to move significantly toward more equitable and effective educational opportunities...