Education Reform Requires Symbols for the Movement to Embrace

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Singles brandenburg of 8:15PM March 30, 2010

Education reform is a very important issue, we've made a documentary that follows the tax money in the public school system as a way of examining the academic achievement gap between low income minority neighborhoods and affluent neighborhoods.
The trailer can be found here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2NLYjfmqcY&feature=channel
We hope to hear from you, talk to you soon.
whoisaccountable.net

whoisaccountable of CA 6:38PM May 05, 2009

This sounds like a bet, but you're right so I will vote with you. The transformation will be through images and video via the web. Transformation of institutionalized learning is not an additional class, test or school day. It is a complete transformation of school design and approach to learning. The design and approach is understood by all, but we are hardwired, and blinded, to our traditional beliefs about school and intelligence. A well-designed campaign, with narrative, imagery and video, will transform education.

Damian Ewens of RI 4:23PM April 27, 2009

Perhaps the issue is twofold in that education reformers both fail to use powerful symbols in compelling and meaningful ways, and the general public has become resistant to the exact symbols which should work. The graduation/dropout statistics for minority students are appalling and should call to the carpet business leaders, policymakers, social service providers, tax payers and educators alike, but as the previous comment notes, do not reflect the experience of those most likely to vote and/or be in leadership roles within those groups.
Three powerful examples have caught my eye recently - two from ASCD and one from the Children's Defense Fund. All are available on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XTRKHR-6i3k&feature=PlayList&p=546446CFFE84A732&index=0&playnext=1, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fihzt1NBkP8, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAp0h_eSi4Y.

Molly McCloskey of VA 11:28AM April 10, 2009

The term "school reform" itself might be part of the problem. Just as the visual image of Michelle Rhee with a broom symbolizes her approach to reforming public education by firing all the poor or mediocre teachers, the term "reform" has always struck me as an unambitious and reactionary approach to improving our schools.
I suggest that American schools need to be TRANSFORMED, not REFORMED. And the necessary element of the process of transforming that is missing from the act of reforming is that a transformation is a change into something else, something better. Transformation needs a goal, a mission, and yes, a symbol would help.
Reform is getting out of town. Transform is going somewhere. What we need is a definition of where we need to go and a symbol to give that definition some visual punch. Being a competitive sort, I suggest a visual rendition of "#1"for starters.

George Peternel of IL 10:33AM April 10, 2009

To me the biggest thing that needs "reforming" is the work ethic that is required to learn, regardless of what "program" or "system" is used. Too many are using the need for "new" programs and systems as an excuse for the decline that has gone on in the past few decades. The rhetoric is that if we "change" something, it will solve all our problems. It matters little if "Macbeth" is read in a book printed in 1923 (as I did) vs. one printed in 2009. The new book does not alter the message, nor make it any easier to comprehend. If time proves a point, look at the 1957 graduating class of G.L.S. in Boston to see what hard work accomplished in an old building, using old books, with up to 30 per classroom and no amenities.

Robert M. French of MA 2:13PM April 05, 2009

Symbolism and the symbols used to convey a message are generated by the importance of a person, issue, or event. To try to create a personna, social condition, or event from conceptual symbolism is upside down and backwards - the purposes of well being intent cannot spring in any sensible fashion from an ambiguously contrived symbol because the symbol has no foundation of responsive wisdom.
Symbols are sequentially bound to follow a known and shared understanding.
The real problem is a "me first, gotta have mine" self interest that searches for instant gratification without regard to others and the long term benefits of moderation and decency and respect for authority. And, it is not accidental, the public school system has been promoting athis type of personal (consequently social) destruction for many years.

Mart of KS 1:36AM April 04, 2009

Seldom do we see so many words used to say so little about such an important topic. Wholesale school reform hasn't failed due to the lack of symbols; it has failed because those with the power to make needed changes have a vested interest in the status quo - and Rotherham offers nothing to change that.

Brad of TX 3:02PM April 03, 2009