Opinion: How to fix our schools

Chancellor Joel Klein of the New York City Department of Education, Michelle Rhee of the District of Columbia Public Schools (just prior to her resignation), and other urban superintendents recently came together and created a “manifesto” about changes that need to be made in order for the educational system in the United States to operate more effectively. The manifesto appeared in The Washington Post on October 10.

These educational leaders write that there are too many outdated practices that are holding schools back from making the necessary changes to prepare American children for the 21^st century global economy. Allowing teacher hiring and retention to be determined by archaic rules involving seniority and academic credentials favors the adults, not the children, the authors write. District leaders need to make decisions based on performance, and they need to use financial incentives to keep the best teachers in their schools.

“Let's stop ignoring basic economic principles of supply and demand and focus on how we can establish a performance-driven culture in every American school--a culture that rewards excellence, elevates the status of teachers, and is positioned to help as many students as possible beat the odds," write the authors. Read the full article at The Washington Post online.

For an opposing view, read this policy brief by Richard Rothstein of the Economic Policy Institute.