April 22, 1998
Education Week, Vol. 17, Issue 32
Education
Opinion
Perhaps Another Commission?
Back in 1981, a distinguished group of 18 Americans got together for a
two-year study of the country's schools. Among them were four college
presidents, several scientists, some school principals, other
educationists, a card-carrying economist, a former governor and
congressman, and one schoolteacher. They had been invited by Terrel H.
Bell, the U.S. secretary of education in President Reagan's Cabinet, to
report to him on the quality of education in the United States.
Education
Opinion
From Compliance to Collaboration
Despite all the rhetoric about shared decisionmaking, top-down,
compliance-driven school leadership still seems to be the norm in many
communities. The reason is that most school boards still expect new
superintendents to come in and "take charge." And superintendents often
expect the same of their principals. But these behaviors and
expectations are badly out of date.
Education
Opinion
'White Conditioning'
In the media maelstrom surrounding the proposal to diversify the San
Francisco school district's required reading list, I found myself in a
unique, complicated, and eye-opening position. ("S.F. Board Rejects Race Quotas for
Literature," March 25, 1998.)
Education
Opinion
'A Single Garment of Destiny'
The U.S. Constitution assigns to Congress the authority and the
responsibility to pass laws that implement its intent. With regard to
the application of the 14th Amendment to equal educational opportunity,
I recommend we do just that. At this time last year, I introduced the
proposed Equal Protection School Finance Act, HR 1234, which defines
equal educational opportunity as a covered right under the 14th
Amendment. Passage of this bill would clarify the intent of the
Constitution.
Education
Opinion
First, Do No Harm
The Hong Kong bird flu is nothing compared to the epidemic of
"programmitis" that infects Washington today with regard to education.
The president has proposed dozens of new federal programs. Bills
already introduced in the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives
would create dozens more. Sizable sums of money are being tossed
around. My advice, after 30-plus years in the education field and
almost as many inside the Capital Beltway, is to be very, very
cautious.