A new ‘Education Declaration’ for genuine school reform
A coalition of educators, researchers, parents, activists and elected officials issued what signees are calling an “Education Declaration” on Tuesday that lists seven key principles on which genuine school reform should be guided for the 21st century and starts from the premise that public education is “a public good.”The document offers a progressive approach to school reform that includes ensuring that teachers are properly trained and respected, that opportunities to learn for all students are paramount and that learning must be “engaging and relevant.”
The authors and supporters of the document believe their approach is distinct from the current corporate-influenced wave of reform. Among those who signed it are Stanford University Professor Linda Darling-Hammond, education historian and activist Diane Ravitch, American Federation of Teachers President Randi Weingarten, and National Education Association President Dennis Van Roekel.
The declaration is on the Education Opportunity Network website. Here it is:
An Education Declaration to Rebuild America
Americans have long looked to our public schools to provide opportunities for individual advancement, promote social mobility, and share democratic values. We have built great universities, helped bring children out of factories and into classrooms, held open the college door for returning veterans, fought racial