What is required is a vision of what public schools might become, coupled with a commitment and a plan to make it happen. It is 2005, and a majority of Americans have become so impatient with the tortoise-like pace of change in public schools that they have turned to their state legislatures for relief. Private schools have opened in modern new buildings or fully renovated former public school buildings. The schools open early and close late to accommodate parents. Although some public schools continue to exist, they serve mainly those who remain out of loyalty or because of extracurricular programs not provided in private schools, or because they have no other choice.
Most legislators send their children to the new, private academies that have proven profitable.
Legislators expect public schools to live within the same allocation of funds provided on a per-student basis to the private schools. Ilustration by Joel Pett. We have seen what can be done when schools undertake reform assisted by technology, but nearly all of the successful schools have been awarded special funds to support their unusual activity. There is little likelihood that similar investments will be made in all schools. They want them at school, especially if they believe the schools are safe and are truly interested in their children.