The future financial well-being of everyone in the United States is, and will continue to be a direct result of the quality of education that we offer.  Only a strong economy can assure that there are sufficient government and business resources to meet the future needs of an older generation, while concurrently allowing for expanding opportunities for the younger generation.  Entrepreneurship, innovation, business growth, and financial reward will increasingly result from the knowledge and skills provided by a world class academic system.

To improve student outcome we need to :

•  Make use of data collection and measurement systems that are jointly developed by educators and policy makers

•  Make positive changes in the education system that are manageable, sustainable and flexible, and will have positive impact on student outcome

•  As appropriate, make the education process increasingly responsive to external challenges

But don't forget the human element:

Attention to classroom design detail and student ergonomics does improve teaching & learning. 

 

However:

•  Change is difficult and generally slow

•  The nation appears impatient for student improvement...but has not  yet converted that impatience into sufficient funding

•  Changing demographics will put increasing pressure on school funding (e.g. an increasing number of seniors tend to be reluctant to approve school tax increases)

•  A majority of the nation's schools and classrooms (still) need to be modified to provide a quality learning environment

•  Student safety and security has taken on a new level of urgency, and has resulted in a diversion of limited resources

•  There is insufficient commitment to assure long term funding for system maintenance, upgrades and new equipment

•  The decreasing "life cycle" of technology products will increase replacement funding pressures

•  The added value of a technology supported education is not yet fully appreciated by all

•  There is no widely accepted “technology model” to serve as a template for change

•  There is a a reluctance to adopt the teaching methods of other nations, even in cases where success in specific areas can be demonstrated

•  There is a shortage of qualified STEM teachers and significant obstacles to increase their numbers

In the end, if positive change is to be made it will be necessary to:

Consider the students’ and nation's needs simultaneously while building consensus that the implications of educational compromise are simply not acceptable.

If the classroom looks the same as it did ten years ago, if the teachers teach the same as they did ten years ago, and if the parents expect the same as they did ten years ago should we not be surprised if technology does not deliver upon all of  its promised results?

 

2/23/10