Occasionally on this blog I will post responses on articles published in my favorite periodical, The Economist. A recent article from the Nov 25 edition commented on education reform in England ("At the chalkface". Michael Gove, the education secretary, has proposed more school independence to improve education in England, including public funding for schools opened by "teachers, parents, charities and states." This type of plan closely mirrors the current voucher program being debated in Douglas County right now, which is causing an uproar among many who cry violation of the first amendment for providing public funds for religious schools. Regardless of the outcome of these plans, however, the real key to improving education lies not primarily in school choice, but in who is doing the teaching.Gove wants to give teachers in state schools more autonomy from state restriction and to focus "the sprawl of the national curriculum, limiting it to certain core subjects." He also was to make "teaching more professional" by requiring trainees to spend more time in the classroom, requiring better degrees, and mandating more professional development. Yet, in my opinion, was the most fascinating part of the article came in the last paragraph:
"On November 29th a study by McKinsey, a consultancy, will show that countries with high-achieving pupils tend to have well-educated and enthusiastic teachers, who are also mostly free from state control."What is the key to building a really great school? It's not having the best technology, the most active parents, or even having the most money, as good as these all are. The research is in: great schools have great teachers. And great teachers generally are free from much bureaucratic control, are bright themselves, and are exude and enthusiasm for teaching. Teach for America was built on the idea that a movement of great teachers could radically change the American Educational System.
For those in school leadership, and especially for those in the Christian movement, the lesson cannot be ignored. Hire great teachers and you'll get a great school. Redeeming education starts where education happens: between teacher and pupil.
This begs the question, then: why do private schools provide a better education than public schools (at least as for as measurables like test scores and college entrance go)?
ReplyDeleteAccording to this logic, it's because private schools have better teachers. And yet, private schools don't usually offer more money than public schools to teachers in many (most?) parts of the country. What, then, is the appropriate motivator for getting the right teachers? Great principals/less bureaucracy? More creativity in curriculum development? Anything else?
I'd be curious to see what other teachers think? Why are there better teachers in American private schools? OR am I starting from a false premise?
Strunk,
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure that all private schools educate better than all public schools. I'd have to see some more data on this. But I do think competition tends to breed better results. I think private schools tend to have more accountability. Private schools must perform or nobody will pay tuition, like charter schools must fulfill their charter or they'll be closed. Teachers are still key, but they're part of a bigger picture...stay tuned for my next post.
Interesting- so teachers are central to redeeming education but not the only thing? I'd say you are on to something here.
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