I ask this question sincerely.

Education Week is reporting on a research study by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute. The institute wanted to determine how many of 2,000 low performing schools in 10 states, comparing the public schools with charter schools, have turned around after 5 years of intervention. (Link to the entire study can be found here.)

72% of the low performing charters remained in operation 5 years later and were still low performing. 80% of the low performing public schools remained in operation 5 years later and were still low performing. No significant difference. After significant effort and intervention: little has changed at all.

Again, who does this surprise?

I have, for years, decried the ineffectiveness and shortsightedness of blaming teachers for problems over which they have little if any control. And to naïvely think that the private sector can somehow magically do a better job, while also making a profit, than the public sector in educating children, children that feel utterly disconnected from the hope of the American Dream, is foolhardy.

The issues are complex, deeply rooted, and cut broadly across different but related factors that impact learning but have little to do with school policy: journalism, politics, economics, culture, community values, et al. The issues extend significantly beyond the school doors. NCLB policy has consistently proven ineffective.

I recently was asked to prepare a presentation focused on the leadership strand for the k12onlineconference. I called the presentation, The Classroom Teacher As a 21st Century Instructional Leader. In it, I advocate for a completely and utterly different approach to education reform: reform through empowering teacher leadership. I can state firsthand that it works!

I invite you to watch the presentation. It's only 23 minutes and quickly covers a lot of ground. This presentation is a call to action.

You may also view the file at blip.tv at this link.

The presentation can also be found at iTunes along with numerous other presentations from the conference.