Fewer children in a classroom without a solid, proven program and skilled teacher isn't better. And incentives for teachers to teach poor children are nothing without a guarantee that those teachers be accountable for results. Many school officials say they could do better with more resources. But that says the way public schools currently operate is sufficient. It is not.
High standards are essential.
But while more than 40 states claim to have standards, only a handful actually require schools and students to meet them. Consequences are critical motivators. Students say they're not challenged. Teachers concede the system doesn't reward excellence. Standards matter only when they count.