Enthusiastic, ambitious and innovative educators, schools and communities will follow many different paths to success. Claims for more money should be accompanied by demonstrated vision and leadership to use education dollars effectively. Communities that have high costs and small tax bases have a greater claim to state aid than wealthier urban districts. Parents play a critical role in their children's education. Schools must make special efforts to involve all parents.
Accountability is essential.
It must be enforced through measures that provide meaningful information about both students and their schools. Last week's Daily News series on Anchorage schools identified several keys to educational success. In all cases, the profiled schools had an educational vision or a concerted plan for improvement. That requires strong leadership, most often by a strong principal. Far from being a simple bureaucrat, the modern principal must have a heroic combination of talent and energy.