First World Education Problems, Part III: Say Nice things about Detroit
What to do about a city like Detroit? What's the best way to serve the children there, who deserve the same free, first-rate democratic education that children all over this country are receiving?
Is there a way to rebuild a large urban school system, make it leaner, more nimble and responsive? Or do we"unbundle" the district's publicly owned resources, facilities and human capital and offer them to the highest bidders? Can you really charter your way to 100+ diverse schools, scattered across a huge city, all meeting the needs of equally diverse children? Do we concede the inevitable risk of start-ups failing and adding to the misery and waste index?
What is the preferred solution for schooling in a post-industrial wasteland?
Step One: Stop thinking of it as a wasteland, and re-frame Detroit as blank slate, a canvas upon which we can re-imagine education and other critical services on a human scale. It's possible if we have the will and persistence to do so, and--key point--these imaginative new forms of schooling are generated from within, rather than imposed by those who believe they know best, or are looking to make a quick buck selling "reform."
Step Two: Understand that there is no monolithic or comprehensive solution. There is no urban system that Detroit can turn to as template for success (despite Arne Duncan's insulting comment that Detroit could benefit from a Katrina). There is no sure-fire, replicable school model to "scale up." There are pockets of success to build on, but reformers are impatient with small victories and building slowly.
Step Three: Acknowledge that race is the hot wire that runs through all discussions about
Is there a way to rebuild a large urban school system, make it leaner, more nimble and responsive? Or do we"unbundle" the district's publicly owned resources, facilities and human capital and offer them to the highest bidders? Can you really charter your way to 100+ diverse schools, scattered across a huge city, all meeting the needs of equally diverse children? Do we concede the inevitable risk of start-ups failing and adding to the misery and waste index?
What is the preferred solution for schooling in a post-industrial wasteland?
Step One: Stop thinking of it as a wasteland, and re-frame Detroit as blank slate, a canvas upon which we can re-imagine education and other critical services on a human scale. It's possible if we have the will and persistence to do so, and--key point--these imaginative new forms of schooling are generated from within, rather than imposed by those who believe they know best, or are looking to make a quick buck selling "reform."
Step Two: Understand that there is no monolithic or comprehensive solution. There is no urban system that Detroit can turn to as template for success (despite Arne Duncan's insulting comment that Detroit could benefit from a Katrina). There is no sure-fire, replicable school model to "scale up." There are pockets of success to build on, but reformers are impatient with small victories and building slowly.
Step Three: Acknowledge that race is the hot wire that runs through all discussions about