But reform efforts can't be carried out quickly, he points out, nor is there a magic bullet that will work in every school, for every group of youngsters. Legislators want to put in higher standards, but if they do, we have higher dropout rates. It's the same thing with laws against providing education for immigrant kids. One thing Berliner is certain of, however, is that America's public schools, while not perfect, are getting a bum rap. Bureaucracies get crazy sometimes, and when they do, you have to jump up and scream.
Parents have the right to be mad if something is wrong, and to fight for better schools.
We have to stay interested and involved in them. That's our cultural heritage.