Leader of Chicago Schools Is Obama’s Choice for Education Secretary

In the process of doing research on education, with the intent of doing some writing on the topic, I've encountered both concern and criticism. But, in my mind no solution to a real problem facing our nation.

History tells us that money is not the answer. What this retirred educator believes needs to be done is: to restructure the current time based, one teacher one classroom, lock step system to a performance based system that places the responsibility to perform on the learner.

As a start, I might suggest the organization of a school that would allow the learner to utilize his/her individual learning style as he/she progresses through school.

This would require the school to identify what the learner is to learn and indicate how or what the learner will do to prove that he/she has learned that lesson.

Well written performance objectives would change the role of the teacher as well as thzt of the learner. Currently the teacher serves as evaluator, dispenser of facts and information and as the active agent in the learning process. Well written perrformance objectives would result in the teacher becoming a facilitator, motivator, a resource and provider of guidance to the learner. Because the learner would know what is expected his/her role would change from going to school to be taught to going to school to learn and would become the active agent in the learning process.

In the writing of performance objectives let me refer you to the internet and to a 60's era paperback written by Rober Mager, entitled Preparing Instructional Onbjectives. And, for direction a quote from Amos Comenius (1592-1670) seems appropriate:

"There in the world no rock or tower of such height that it cannot be scaled by any man (provided he lack not feet) if ladders are placed in the proper position or steps are cut in the rock, made at the right place, and furnished with railings against the danger of falling over

If we examine ourselves we see that our faculties grow in such a manner that what goes before paves the way for what comes after. (cheating becomes a non-issue)

As for learnin styles, again, let me refer you to the internet. However, the literture identifies three:

1) Visual learniung _ learn by seeing

2) Auditory learning - learn by hearing

3) Kinesthetic Learnbing - learn by doing

I would add a fourth:

4) Learn by (like Socrates) asking questions - personally I would encourage this.

Any questions feel free to ontact me. More than willing 21`give of my time if it's to help our kioda.

Hector Navarrette of CA 1:56AM December 19, 2008

The choice of Duncan should let all know that Obama intends there to be a change away from what was true of the Bush administration. However, the fact that Duncan has led the very dysfunctional CPS does not give me confidence that much will change. Having done some work in CPS, I must say the district has many problems that have yet to be addressed by administration. While Duncan has been willing to try alternative approaches to education, the fundamentals of teacher training, commitment and dedication have been ignored as per the teacher union. Given the fiscal situation in most districts, it is doubtful that Duncan can affectively lead any real change nationally unless the feds are willing to come up with the funding to support them. That most researchers as myself are calling for reform in the classroom seems to be ignored by bigger, more complicated issues such as funding, testing, national standards and the like. Until we change what is going on in the classroom with instruction, place instructional leaders in charge of schools and have administrations locally who honor good teaching practices, not much will change. Pour all the money you wish at the problem, test every day, and set up all the standards desired. Until teachers start teaching the way students are learning, not much is going to change except the frustration level. It will go up.

Keith Pruitt, Ed.S. of TN 7:23PM December 17, 2008