Indeed, schools have responded with many changes that have improved school programs. Yet, as we pause to review our efforts, we find that, despite years of school reform, today's graduates are no better off than those of 1983. In fact, there is growing evidence that they may be worse off. The fact is that while schools have indeed changed, society is changing at a rate 4 to 5 times faster than schools can change. This causes a very frustrating pattern to occur.
Schools improve but fall farther behind.
Throughout America school districts are attempting to deal with the extremely difficult challenge of change. Debates are common concerning how to close the growing gap between graduates' skills and the skills needed in our increasingly sophisticated society. There is mounting evidence that schools need to do more than simply reform. Schools need to go through many more fundamental restructuring changes. Unfortunately, our American school system is so designed that institutional issues and politics prevent most school districts from making substantial progress in any restructuring initiatives.