Working Together For Effective Reform In America’s Public Schools

Mostly we hear bickering; we play the blame game. In education, the topic thought to be the great uniter we see divisiveness more than we might imagine. The “Right” and “Left” split along party lines while each claims to care for the children and their future. The two also actually do come together. Void from the expected conversation is the question of what might be an opportunity. Do we see results through an economic lens or does erudition realize greater gains? It seems neither side wishes to separate them selves from the notion of dollars and “sense.” Thus, little gets done to benefit the whole. Our children suffer, as do our communities.

Rather than favor a practical potential of oneness, we dig holes with our feet deeply entrenched in the thought that we are right. We fight to prove…what? The definition of words or phrase has become an art form, or a game we play. “Parent Empowerment,” what does that mean exactly? “School Choice, good, bad, or is it choice at all? Teaching, that term has taken a turn. Do we Teach For America, put Students First, or just say we do while we close countless schools and fire Teachers en masse solely to save money.

Might we consider the more significant quandaries that humans hide from? Do we forego instruction that teaches so that we might demonstrate just how inhumane beings are? Do we pursue fractions or fractures? Might we contemplate how often we revel in the art of slice and dice over what brings everyone together? Could it be true that people cannot work together and thus the children and their education cannot ameliorate the situation? Let us consider what could be and is in Minneapolis.

Organized Parents, Organized Teachers – Working together for effective reform in America’s public schools
from Annenberg Institute on Vimeo.

Current national and local education policies often pit teachers and parents against each other, trapping them in a cycle of blame and mistrust. But in one Minneapolis community, parents and teachers decided to work together to make their schools better – with great results. This is their story. To get related resources on parent-teacher collaboration, please visit realparentpower.com