Commentary calls education reform a "tragicomedy"

"People who should know better have written or said things about education that are wildly off-base, stunningly incoherent, or mind-numbingly insipid," writes James Kauffman in a commentary titled "Reforming Public Education: A Tragicomedy," published in Teachers College Record. "A lot of the blame for public education’s mess has rightfully been heaped on educators. However, people in every walk of life, including school board members, legislators, business executives, journalists, and politicians too often disconnect their powers of reason when confronted by educational problems."

While noting that we must improve American public education, Kauffman says "we can't make public schools better until we understand why they are so disappointing." He gives examples of "misguided school reform proposals that have been taken seriously" and offers his own criteria for judging whether schools are succeeding or failing.

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