The book covers five countries: Shanghai (not a country, and that’s something to think about as you read), Finland, Japan, Singapore, and Canada. The accounts of these nations debunks several myths about education, including several excuses for America’s mediocre performance. It makes comments about what the education reform movement SHOULD be doing, and it offers its own simple agenda for moving forward (*note that this agenda is specified as being for individual states):
1. Benchmark the Education Systems of the Top-Performing Countries. This seems like a no-brainer. If you are losing a race, wouldn’t you want to learn how the Olympians who medal do their thing?
2. Design for Quality. This one is a bit trickier, because we always think that we design for quality, but the key is about setting clear goals and getting consensus, having a well-ordered system with gateways, standards, logical curriculum, exams, and training for teachers that is aligned with those aspects. Alignment is a key word, here. So is the having an absolutely phenomenal teaching force; this includes high barriers to entry, well compensated positions, induction support, pathways for advancement, and other aspects that work together to build capacity in teachers.
3. Design for Equity. This essentially means ensuring that states fund schools equitably with additional and best resources for those most in need of support, educating ALL children – and committing to the performance of all children.
4. Design for Productivity. Another fairly straightforward concept. We need an education system that meets the needs of our economy, is professional in nature, makes smart use of resources to minimize waste, and sends kids into higher education and good jobs. We need to build our capacity for excellence.
I recently had an opportunity to meet with Marc Tucker of NCEE, who I found to be wonderfully intelligent, thoughtful, humble, and entrepreneurial. I hope you find his work as engaging as I did, and I look forward to your posted comments as you read.
