But the school itself is a prisoner of time. Despite the dedication of their staffs, schools are organized as though none of this has happened. But neither can they ignore massive problems. It is time to face the obvious. In many communities, when children are not with their families, the next best place for them is the school.
School reform is no exception.
While restructuring time, schools need time to restructure. According to a RAND study, new teaching strategies can require as much as 50 hours of instruction, practice and coaching before teachers become comfortable with them. A study of successful urban schools indicates they needed up to 50 days of external technical assistance for coaching and strengthening staff skills through professional development. For school employees involved in reform, time has become an implacable barrier. Teachers, principals and administrators need time for reform.