Heckman was a key part in the development of a national network of partnerships between universities and colleges and public school districts. He helped begin a partnership between the University of Southern Maine and the Portland, Maine public schools and one in Los Angeles between UCLA, the public schools and local community colleges. Today the National Network for Educational Renewal includes 17 such partnerships and helps give perspective to both, K-12 educators and academics alike. There's a very different ethos that governs each. Schools are so-called very practical places.
Some people call it an ethic of practicality.
Universities are more prone to ask what we think about what we're doing. That doesn't mean they're impractical. They're just different. The partnerships have benefited the universities and the public schools alike. When we do get into a classroom and say, 'Here's how we ought to do so and so,' we'll suddenly realize we forgot a major component.