I participated in a conference call this morning with Joel Klein, former Chancellor of the NYC school system, and Condoleezza Rice. They’re co-chairs of the Council on Foreign Relations’ Task Force on "U.S. Education Reform and National Security." In addition to the usual and yet essential laments about the American school year and school day remaining hostage to a centuries-old agrarian calendar and the continued supremacy of teacher seniority over teacher excellence, Rice and Klein offered three useful insights for framing the issue.
First, they are right to examine U.S. education – especially public education – through the lens of national security. Not accepting that the system is broken in some ways and that exceptional strategy, talent and resources are needed to repair it is, indeed, a clear and present danger. Next, and this one’s sensitive, Rice and Klein remind us that we are not attracting the best of our college graduates into the teaching ranks, unlike our competitors in Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, Finland and elsewhere. Yes, thankfully, there are many gifted, talented and committed teachers on these shores. There just aren’t enough of them! Of course, it’s not all about compensation. However, realizing pay scales that are at least a meaningful rounding error on what hedge-fund managers make would help. Finally, Rice and Klein speak to the essential role of education in restoring national purpose and cohesion. Is there any doubt that the decline in U.S. K-12 education is contributing to the deterioration of our public discourse?
We wanted to hear more from the Task Force today on solutions. However, their compelling framing of the issue today could help bring us closer to tangible, productive outcomes.
First, they are right to examine U.S. education – especially public education – through the lens of national security. Not accepting that the system is broken in some ways and that exceptional strategy, talent and resources are needed to repair it is, indeed, a clear and present danger. Next, and this one’s sensitive, Rice and Klein remind us that we are not attracting the best of our college graduates into the teaching ranks, unlike our competitors in Singapore, Taiwan, Germany, Finland and elsewhere. Yes, thankfully, there are many gifted, talented and committed teachers on these shores. There just aren’t enough of them! Of course, it’s not all about compensation. However, realizing pay scales that are at least a meaningful rounding error on what hedge-fund managers make would help. Finally, Rice and Klein speak to the essential role of education in restoring national purpose and cohesion. Is there any doubt that the decline in U.S. K-12 education is contributing to the deterioration of our public discourse?
We wanted to hear more from the Task Force today on solutions. However, their compelling framing of the issue today could help bring us closer to tangible, productive outcomes.