We Need a Different National Conversation

By Gene R. Carter

From almost any vantage point, it is hard to find sincere concern about the productive future of our young people in the political debates occurring in Washington and state capitals. The passing references to children and students feel largely like rhetorical flourishes in the partisan and ideological fights among adults.

This is not an easy time to preach bipartisan pragmatism. But if we don’t find some common ground—and some common national values—around children, we are indeed a nation at risk.

I’ve been involved in education for 40 years as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. Since 1992, I’ve been chief executive officer and executive director of ASCD (formerly the Association for Supervision and Curriculum Development), an international organization of education leaders that includes 135,000 members in the United States. I am fortunate to be a frequent visitor to schools and education systems around the world. I have seen countries making impressive commitments to young people and garnering equally impressive results in student achievement. Most of these countries are also...