By and large, they still operate within a framework of grades, schedules, calendars, courses, and even rituals from the 1950s and beyond. And as we know, any resemblance between America in 1950 and America in 2000 is purely coincidental. No wonder the pundits and politicians, the business people and parents are demanding change. Unfortunately, many of our critics would have us move forward by moving back, toward some mythical Golden Age of Education, when life was simpler, kids were smarter and schools were better. But by most objective and unsentimental measures, the good old days are now.
Public schools are the best they've ever been.
The evidence is abundant and clear. But despite the facts, the misperceptions persist. And that's where we need to change. We need to change perceptions - not just the public's, but our own. We need to revise the role of schools in society and the role of society in schools.