A Teacher's Journal 30: We Hereby Resolve...

We'd definitely need experts from many areas -- and many differing viewpoints -- involved in the resolution-setting process. After all, the scope of tasks that a community wrestles with is immense. We'd need resolutions for managing growth and building new infrastructure. We'd need resolutions for improving mental health, police and fire services. We'd need resolutions for protecting our environment, balancing our budget and growing our economy.

We'd need resolutions for public education as well. Few would argue that a strong system of free education is essential for protecting our place in the world and providing all Americans with a quality of life unparalleled around the globe. There is also little doubt that education is even more essential in 2006 than ever before. While we may remain the world's lone military power, we are no longer the world's lone intellectual power. As the globe becomes increasingly interconnected economically, countries once overlooked are becoming competitors.

So what New Year's resolutions could we set for our public schools? Here are a few that I would recommend:

As a community interested in the well being of our citizens, we hereby resolve to:

1. Ensure that all children have access to highly accomplished teachers: Perhaps one of the greatest disappointments in public education is the unequal distribution of our best educators. The schools that serve our highest-need populations struggle to recruit and retain experienced, talented teachers because challenges in these schools are immense and often overwhelming. We must redesign education to make positions in all schools -- especially those serving high-needs populations -- more attractive. Models for increasing compensation, improving working conditions, and implementing high-quality professional development exist hold potential for bringing highly qualified teachers to all classrooms.

2. Look at education through a new lens: It's amazing how much our world has changed in the past several decades. There are less manufacturing jobs and a greater reliance on technology for everything from communication to production. Corporations are global and expect employees to be efficient and innovative.

   Despite these changes, schools look much like they did when I was a student. Students still attend classes for 6 hours a day, 180 days a year. Teachers still spend the majority of their day in front of classes with limited time built in for planning, reflection or professional development. Standardized tests still dominate student assessment and evaluation.

   To keep up with our "new and improved" world, we must rethink how we educate our children, questioning the traditional structures that -- while serving us well -- may need revising. Innovation relies on creative thinking and a willingness to change.

3. See opponents as equals -- not adversaries: I'm often blown away by the animosity that enters educational debate within our community. Even in the feedback that I've received in response to my writings, an unhealthy hate can pervade. Some of my favorites: "This guy should be fired immediately," "This article shows the author's complete detachment from reality," "The dribble that you spew is misguided and inappropriate," "You are a disgrace to the teaching profession," "This is proof of why the whole Wake County Public School System should be blown up." There is no doubt that conversations about education evoke passion from nearly everyone.

   The problem is that people allow that passion to interfere with open dialogue. We must commit ourselves to a spirit of cooperation in order to move forward, and that requires a respect for the thoughts of others that is often missing. As Roland Barth, noted educational expert, once wrote, "The relationship among the adults in the schoolhouse [parents, teachers, administrators, community leaders] has more impact on the quality and the character of the schoolhouse -- and on the accomplishments of youngsters -- than any other factor."

In the end, everyone with an interest in America has an interest in seeing our public school system succeed, and everyone -- regardless of viewpoint -- wants "what's best for children." With focus, we can start walking in that direction over the next 365 days, making 2006 a truly "Happy New Year!"