Policy-makers are fond of pontificating about reform. Thus, the classroom leader is the most important player in the drive to improve that education. For two weeks ending Sunday, a series of stories written by the Journal Sentinel's Alan J. Borsuk explored the complex topic of improving schools by improving teaching.
Teachers are quick to bash teacher-bashing.
Their complaint has lost much force, however, because of a tendency to label as bashing reasoned critiques of schools. Still, the frequency of the complaint gives the impression that what teachers most want is moral support. The support they most need, however, is more concrete. Many teachers carry too heavy a load. To lighten it, they deserve such measures as smaller classes.