EDUCATIONAL REFORM PROPOSALS

Letter to VP Al Gore

Introduction
Problem
Statement

Policy
Proposal 1
Constructivism
& Charter Schools

Policy
Proposal 2
Skill & Content Based Reform

Key Decision Maker

Adv & DisAdv of Policy
Proposal 1

Adv & DisAdv of Policy
Proposal 2

Compromise Proposal

Summary

Letter to VP Gore

References

Mr. Albert Gore
Vice-President of the United States
1600 Pennsylvania Ave.
Washington, DC 20500

Dear Mr. Vice-President:

Along with President Clinton, you are to be applauded for your efforts in educational reform, safeguarding that our children will be competitive in the economic world of tomorrow.  Your efforts toward making sure every student in America is equipped with the latest technology is magnificent!  And your concern that all students achieve higher academic standards shows your great compassion and empathy for children of every demographic background.

I have been closely observing our local school systems, who are currently underway in their efforts toward adopting the Executive Branch’s recommendation for our schools to aggressively "develop rigorous standards for what every child should know and be able to do."  In itself, this is impressive.  However, there is a colossal flaw with this approach, and it is destined for failure in traditional schools.  As Principal Robert Dorn of Pasco County, Florida, explains:

Our district has tried numerous strategies . . . What needs to be examined now is the unhappy consequence of these efforts; there have been no significant improvements in student achievement patterns.  These innovations have failed to eliminate poor instruction and ineffective and redundant curricula.

The problem with the current approach to educational reform is that the best intentions of schools have failed to adapt teaching to the numerous unique and different ways students learn and think.  For example, we have a 13-year old son who has ADHD.  He has a brilliant mind; yet in the 8th grade he is already 2-3 years behind in his core subjects.  If our schools become more rigorous without changing their instructional methods, he and all the other students like him will never be given a fair chance to learn in an environment conducive for their learning style!

Therefore, I have prepared a paper (enclosed) which includes three policy proposals for educational reform.  These recommendations, if adopted, will best insure that higher academic standards will truly be within the grasp of every student in America.  I pray that you will give strong consideration to endorsing one or more of these policy proposals in your upcoming bid for the Presidency of the United States.  You have my full support.

Sincerely Yours,

Mark S. Barnett

Continue to Next Page