Restructuring and re-engineering the schools

C. TEAM TEACHING:

Team teaching will continue through the junior high school and the high school. When a student enters seventh grade another team of teachers is formed to handle say 125 students as they move through to the eighth grade. if there are 400 students then three or four teaching teams will be formed. The same team moves with the students for the next two years. And so through high school.

Teaching teams will recognize weaknesses in students both in moral character and in academics and will be able to assist. If one teacher cannot assist, another teacher on the team can. It gives everyone a esprit de corps attitude. In team teaching each teacher will support the other bring out the best in each. This system will also result in fewer social promotions and school dropouts for students. When a student graduates, he and the team will have succeeded together.

D. LONGER SCHOOL YEAR:

Because of modern technology, the school calendar can become a year round one. Through the use of computers, students can study while on trips with parents, while sick, or even doing part-time work. It will not be necessary to use the current school calendar because a student will have to master a certain amount of material that is in the syllabus. The advanced student can work faster because he knows what has to be done. The slower students can request extra help by way of using the computer to talk to tutors anywhere on any subject which the school can supply into students’ homes. Summer breaks and other breaks are not necessary through the use of technology. Promotions will take place whenever the syllabus requirements are met.

E: BUREAUCRACY IN THE SYSTEM:

One of the most evil practices that the public school system has is its layers of bureaucracy. The new school will do away with most of them. Some of the first to go will be special education supervisors, deputy commissioners, and other layers of fat. They will be sent into the classrooms instead of remaining in offices miles away from the front lines-the classrooms. Principals will be allowed to decide school policy for the particular school. Currently all private schools have been practicing this with great success.

We have labored too long with an archaic system. We have cajoled students long enough. We have squandered billions of dollars and received small compensation for the expenditure. Let’s stop bandage changes. Bold and decisive action is required to restructure and reengineer our school system. Who dares go first?

Previously I wrote how technology was introduced into the classroom and failed, such as television and teaching labs. The only real innovation that still dominates the classroom is the chalk board which was introduced over 130 years ago. Unless we adopt the exciting technology that science is constantly bestowing upon us properly in a restructured and re-engineered system, schools are doomed to continue their failure.

One of the most exalting results that will emerge from these changes will be that teachers will become the center of learning as they once were. Instead of being part of the problem, teachers will become the solution to a higher quality education for all students. They are the key to learning.

The remaining way to solve problems plaguing the public school system is to restructure the system, not by adding more layers to the bureaucracy.

Unfortunately until the monopoly on education held by the public school system is threatened, little change will come about. These suggestions are only the beginning of a new and successful public school system.