Engaging The Public

Public educators and reformers are walking a fine line. To achieve the changes they believe are desperately needed in public education, they must convince the general public that America's schools are in dire straits. Yet, disenchantment with schools is increasing, and even more criticism of schools may so alienate the public that they will abandon the public system altogether and turn to privatizing public schools or using vouchers to pay for private schools.

The challenge to reformers is complicated by the fact that most parents are more interested in the basics and order than they are in innovation. The public generally would be satisfied if schools could be restored to what they were 50 years ago. Only when they are sure that schools are orderly and are providing a sound basic education will people consider supporting substantial education reform.

The task before national, state, and local reformers is to bridge the gap between their vision for public schools and the expectations of the public. And they must do so without sounding so alarmist that citizens will give up...