As I look back on it now, the expectations of teachers were pretty low for most of us. I think only 20 percent of my graduating class went on to some kind of postsecondary education. Most kids could get a job right in the community, but this was 40 years ago. Kids have more tattoos, more piercing, the dress is a bit different, but basically the content of what's offered in high school is the same. What is exciting about going into New American High Schools is that they have much higher expectations for the students, and they believe that the students can reach those expectations.
Times are quite different today.
There's an intensity today that wasn't there 40 years ago. What you're expected to do to be successful is so different. And the fact that schools are providing the same kind of education that they offered then, and still making judgments about students' abilities, is discouraging. I don't think just creating smaller learning communities is enough, and I don't think just changing content and instruction are enough. We've got to create a supportive learning culture in schools.