Columns
Political Rhetoric
Doesn’t Educate Kids
December 16, 2011The only adjective that matters before the word “school” — traditional or charter — is “quality.”
When it comes to our schools, we need to get past the political rhetoric, be it from the left or right, and put the focus on: “teaching, learning and children” and not “power, control, politics and adults.”
I am tired of hearing traditional public school advocates whine about the 300 kids who flee their schools for a charter school, while not hearing a peep from them about the thousands who drop out to the streets each year.
I am equally tired of hearing from charter advocates who believe that simply uttering the word “charter” makes a school a quality school.
We need to support quality learning regardless of where it takes place.
Traditional schools, charter schools, e-learning…all have a place in the educational framework as long as they are preparing our children for the hyper-competitive, disruptive, technologically driven, knowledge-based global economy where ideas and jobs can and do move around the world effortlessly.
Having recently returned from China, I can assure you they are not slowing down while we have these ideological fights. They are moving forward.
In spite of our public schools’ past achievements, the current system is leaving far too many children behind. Efforts underway to “fix” or help existing public schools are laudable, but more can and should be done for the students and their parents — not for the district or the system.
The simple truth is that neither charters nor traditional schools are a panacea.
Sixteen years ago I wrote an article in which I characterized charter school advocates as belonging to one of three main categories, and the characterization remains true to this day:
- Zealots and Ideologues. These people tend to view charter schools passionately as a way toward “the truth,” or at least an intermediate answer to public education’s problems that will suffice until they can get a voucher system in place. Their enthusiasm and devotion to the cause blinds them to complexities.
“Have charter, will reform,” is their battle cry. Their belief system is an amalgam of the following homilies: private is always better than public; the market system is inherently superior to the public system; unions are always the problem; and private and religious schools outperform public schools even when socioeconomic differences are taken into account. This group is on a mission — watch out!
- The Entrepreneur Scoundrels. I have no problem with people making money. In fact, I could care less if someone makes a profit operating public schools. But that profit margin must come after the real bottom line: children getting the education they need and deserve.
If someone can develop a method of educating young people that is effective, innovative and inclusive…and makes money, more power to ’em. Profit motives should not be the focus. The focus must be on the vultures circling our schools with no real regard for the educational outcomes of the children. This group is slick, their presentations and proposals look good on the surface, but the long-run prospects for real beneficial change for the students are limited.
They remind me of some of the community-group-home operators I encountered as the former director of the state mental health department. The overwhelming majority of the private nonprofit groups in this field run high-quality community-care facilities. But there are a minority who abuse the system, cheat the clients and live off other people’s misery. They pad their payrolls, skimp on quality and maximize their income. The motive is money, not service. Look out for these so-called “entrepreneurs” in education.
- Student-, parent- and teacher-centered reformers. There are many people who believe strongly in the value of public education, yet realize it is flawed and, in some places, past the breaking point. These individuals and organizations realize that real changes will require boldness and risk-taking. To these reformers, charter schools are not anti-public schools but pro-child, pro-public choice and offer real alternatives.
These reformers realize that charter schools are not intended to replace all existing public school systems, but will provide the productive tension needed to spur enhancements in children’s learning environments — just as Apple Computer helped change the culture of I.B.M. and foreign automobile makers prodded change in domestic auto quality.
Are charter schools a panacea? Absolutely not. Nor are many of the existing traditional public schools.
As the old Chinese proverb says, “When you open the window, all the flies can come in.” Yet we have also shut the widow, trapping far too many kids in failing schools.
The focus of the governor, legislature and State Board of Education should be on establishing screens not to keep charter schools out, but to assure quality is built into all educational opportunities for our children.
Let’s be clear, a lousy education, regardless of its source, will not prepare our students, communities, cities, state or nation for the world stage.
Stop the ideological fights and place the focus on quality education, regardless of its source, and we all win.
46 responses so far ↓
1 Joe Nathan // Dec 16, 2011 at 12:56 am
Tom is 100% right. There are great district & great charter public schools. We need to learn from them. Stop wasting time arguing which is better – it’s like asking which gets better gas mileage, rented or leased cars…it’s not a meaningful question. Listening to Tom will help youngsters.
2 Kim // Dec 16, 2011 at 1:15 am
Of course you are so very right. We need to stop the finger pointing and get serious of improving the quality of ALL our schools.
The focus too often is on the adults and not on the kids.
Stop the mental gymnastics from both the “left” and right and join forces to make sure the focus is truly on learning.
3 Mark Francis // Dec 16, 2011 at 5:53 am
As an educator for almost 30 years and a central administrator for over 10 years, I have seen the best and worse in both types of schools. I have seen some of the best teachers in Detroit and in the suburbs and agree with Tom. I have also witnessed bad teaching and leadership in both.
Too often we want to use the students as pawns in the political fights. Quality is the only word that should matter. Too often we offer excuses as reasons for failing the children, both the schools and parents. Too often our political leaders want to grandstand without knowing the truth but when it makes them look good.
The only area I would want to insure is that we have a level playing field. The standards that are being set should be set across the board. Every school should be held to the same standards. Only than will we know what is a failing school and what is a quality school.
4 DaveLawrence // Dec 16, 2011 at 7:07 am
This piece makes so much sense. Only real quality leads to real outcomes for children. The very future of our country depends on understanding this…carrying this out…and educating everyone.
Dave Lawrence
5 Tom // Dec 16, 2011 at 8:01 am
Now– define a “quality” education and hold ALL schools to that standard.
Close both traditional, charter, e-learning or whatever model is NOT working.
Michigan and America needs to get serious about “not leaving kids behind— or we are going down the tubes!
6 Joe O'Connor // Dec 16, 2011 at 8:07 am
Logic is a fierce constant and yet the debate goes on with less than modest improvements. Who could disagree with Tom’s perspective?
7 Dan Redford // Dec 16, 2011 at 8:27 am
Tom,
Great article. I am in favor of innovation in any sector of our society, including and ESPECIALLY education. If a charter school can fill in and pick up some of the students that get left behind, I’m all for it.
As you know I too have just returned from China. And I think China has a part of the keys to the future of American education: students! THousands upon thousands of Chinese can now go to school in America. Let’s welcome them. Not only do they pay much higher tuition fees than students from Michigan, adding revenue to our schools, but more important, they add a cultural component to our schools that will make our kids and our state much more competitive in the global economy.
8 Joe Lehman // Dec 16, 2011 at 8:29 am
Tom is willing to say some things others won’t, but why did he miss the biggest distinctive of charter schools? They are fundamentally schools that are chosen by parents, rather than assigned by the state. One hundred years from now our descendants will shake their heads in wonder at the hubris of making the price of a decent school include the cost of a house in a decent “school district.”
9 Samuel // Dec 16, 2011 at 8:39 am
One of the best and concise analyses of the public vs. private/charter school debates that I have read over the years from someone who knows what he is talking about. I hope we are listening Tom!
10 George // Dec 16, 2011 at 9:00 am
Now, if we could just have a “quality” measure for the Michigan Legislature as well!
11 Wen Liu // Dec 16, 2011 at 9:05 am
We need this type of innovation in China. One size does not fit all— even in China.
Perhaps people in America do not realize how much they have.
12 Michael Van Beek // Dec 16, 2011 at 9:28 am
Thanks for rising above the rhetoric once again and keeping the focus where it belongs – on quality schooling.
Of course, determining what a “quality school” is for 1.5 million different kids is a difficult and daunting task. What rubric should be used to determine quality? Average annual standardized test scores of grade-level cohorts of students? Graduation rates? Report card grades? Value-added measurements? A combination of all of these? And how should we control for things like socioeconomic factors that we know have a large impact on student achievement?
And who gets to decide what factors are used to make that determination? Bureacrats at the Michigan Department of Education? The federal government? State governors? State legislators? District superintendents? School principals? Or, as is the case with charter schools, parents?
Our chances of providing a “quality” school to the most number of kids is best accomplished by empowering their parents to make the determination. Not all parents will make the optimal decision for their kids, it’s true, but we’re fooling ourselves if we think we can somehow command a system from on high that determines the individual needs of each kid and prescribes them the optimal school better than their own parents can.
13 David Waymire // Dec 16, 2011 at 10:35 am
Of course, the easiest way to give parents choice would be to allow them to send their children to any public school district. That was proposed by Gov. Engler and Gov. Snyder…but because it would mean “Detroit” children attending “Grosse Pointe” and “Livonia” schools, and “Grand Rapids” children attending “East Grand Rapids” schools (surely, this wasn’t a racial issue) it was immediately rejected by the Legislature. Sadly.
14 Jon Hage // Dec 16, 2011 at 11:07 am
Tom is right on point. We must remove the input labels and judge instead on outputs. Don’t let the political debate around labels – for-profit, non-profit, charter, traditional – cloud the real issue: are we getting better results for students? Common Core Standards will help define quality, though it won’t be perfect or enough. Shut down any school that doesn’t perform, charter or traditional public. Put students first and its funny how the adults will be forced to get the rest right! Thanks Tom.
15 KP CHEN // Dec 16, 2011 at 11:10 am
Education, in tradtional sense, in the East, includes:
1. Teaching
2. Nurturing
3. Guidance
4. Acculturation
Teachers take some role as a minister, and education always contain some elements of moral overtone.
Education is a Strategic Industry.
16 Chuck Fellows // Dec 16, 2011 at 12:04 pm
Amen! Thank you Mr. Watkins.
Quality test.
Are the child, the teacher and the parent learning?
How do you know?
Ask “Why?”seven times.
Start over.
17 Tina // Dec 16, 2011 at 2:53 pm
There is lots of “profit” in the traditional schools as well.
Check out the salaries and perks of local and ISD superintendents—- $300,000 + in many cases. Check out the health care and pension benefits they get— way out of line for the private sector.
You are right—- the focus need to be on quality across the board. Further, we need much more accountability for the nearly $20 billion we spend on schools today.
Are we getting the right return on our investment?
18 Bill Cecil // Dec 16, 2011 at 3:41 pm
I agree with Mr. Watkins! I believe there is room at the top for both charter and public schools to coexist! Instead of wasting more time debating which one is better or worse, why not spend our time investigating the best practices both have to offer and create as many winning schools as possible? Not only will our students be better served, but we will be investing in our country’s future as well! Thanks, Mr. Watkins, for continuing to have the courage to speak out and up for what’s best for all our students!
19 Bill Bushaw // Dec 16, 2011 at 4:13 pm
Tom hits the nail on the head in addressing the charter school issue.
Even more important is our need to establish policies that focus on increasing teacher quality. We need to out “Army the Army” when it comes to recruiting great people to become teachers, whether through the undergraduate college pipeline, or as career changers.
We need to train them with the best techniques possible, like the techniques being advanced by Deborah Ball at the University of Michigan,
Finally, we need to provide teachers a career pathway for those that want to remain in education, and counsel those who are less talented to find a different occupation.
The bottom line – it’s all about teacher quality.
Bill Bushaw
20 Jon // Dec 16, 2011 at 4:15 pm
A good article Tom. I agree we need to set aside various political views and prejudices. The limited money we have needs to be spent where the value is high and inclusive and allows our children to flourish. I don’t think setting up competing schools work. If charter or public schools work better in an area that should be the school that is funded.
21 Bill Cecil // Dec 16, 2011 at 4:40 pm
I agree with Mr. Watkins! I believe there is room at the top for both charter and public schools to coexist! Instead of wasting more time debating which one is better or worse, why not spend our time investigating the best practices both have to offer and create as many winning schools as possible? Not only will our students be better served, but we will be investing in our country’s future as well! Thanks, Mr. Watkins, for continuing to have the courage to speak out and up for what’s best for all our students!
22 Glenda Price // Dec 16, 2011 at 4:47 pm
Agreed. I have just returned from Vietnam and had the opportunity to meet wih some university students while there. They were amazing.It was clear that their early education prepared them for a global environment. They had a level of energy, knowledge, curiosity, and motivation that I wish we saw in more US students. The way to get there is to start early. Let’s hope that we do.
23 Jeb Bush // Dec 16, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Excellent piece, Tom. Charter Schools are independent public schools that go away if they don’t work unlike traditional public schools. Charter schools can be emulated if they work which many do.
The whole focus should be on rising student achievement. The form of delivery of education matters less than whether students learning.
Jeb Bush
24 Jill // Dec 16, 2011 at 9:01 pm
Tom- I totally agree as All I see and hear is where a child should go versus What a child is learning. I do not understand fighting over a space or a place! Instead the fight should be why is the child not getting the QUALITY of an education wherever they are!
25 DStafford // Dec 17, 2011 at 11:27 am
Once again..Mr. Watkins “hits the nail on the head”. At the Haberman Educational Foundation, our mantra is this;Better Teachers ,Better Schools, Better Principals,Better Schools… and we all concur nationally, schools will never be any better than the teachers and principals who lead the children and youth of America, no matter where they come from, nor their circumstances, great teachers can make it work for the students!Thanks Tom…stay after the problem!
26 DStafford // Dec 17, 2011 at 12:20 pm
P.S. If you want to learn more about Dr Martin Haberman and his 50 plus years of research about effective teacher and principals, please log on to;
http://www.habermanfoundation.org
27 Jean Simmons // Dec 17, 2011 at 1:49 pm
This article is just what I have always liked about Mr. Watkins. He is a sensible, thoughtful problem solver.
At times I think he is a left leaning democrat and then a right leaning republican. He seems to grab the common sense solution every time. He is not about who wins or loses— he asks what makes sense.
We have many great schools– but, be honest– most are in the “good’ or well to do neighborhoods. Detroit has many schools ( and teachers)– that tend to server the remaining middle class families at Cass, The Performing Arts School, etc. Yet, we MUST get serious about educating more and more of our children to higher and higher levels.
The factory jobs of old — are long gone. EVERYONE needs a solid education or they, the city and this state will continue to sink.
So, now, — how are we going to stop the fighting and get serious about creating a system of learning that will serve us all?
28 Tony Wong // Dec 17, 2011 at 2:18 pm
I wish we would stop the fighting about education and someone– ( How about the Governor) would force the so called education leaders into a room to get us all on the same page.
We cannot afford to have a “democrat” or “republican” education plan. Has anyone noticed that other countries around the world are taking our ideas and making the ideas work for their students, busiesses and economies.
We continue to fight the small battles and contine to lose the war.
29 Alexander Moroz // Dec 17, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Most everybody who has commented on this article is in agreement that Tom’s focus on quality of school should be reflected in Michigan’s education reform; however, very few people actually stated characteristics of a quality school. The one characteristic that popped up, and I see this as a pattern in education reform discussions, is quality teachers. I agree, but what are quality teachers? Our system is in terrible need of reform; is that because our teachers have become drastically worse?
“Schools will never be any better than the teachers and principals who lead the children and youth of America, no matter where they come from, nor their circumstances, great teachers can make it work for the students” (DStafford 25). Are you not setting an impossible standard for the teacher here? Our society has begun to villainize teachers, blaming them for the poor state of our education system. They are the soldiers on the front lines. They are the ones who are working directly with the students. They are the ones who we should be supporting and encouraging to become better.
I don’t think all teachers do a great job; but just like any other profession, there will be people who excel and people who can’t cut it. Everybody has their own opinion as to the model of a perfect teacher because we all learn in such diverse ways. As Tom touts, we need to support quality schools in every form. It doesn’t make sense to have only one type of school, one way of learning, or one curriculum. Our society has so many diverse needs that we must encourage different and unique forms of education.
Where do we start reforming? What needs to be reformed to create these quality schools full of quality teachers? Like a squirrel collecting nuts for the winter, we need to address the issues with education one at a time (thank you White Stripes). There are two things that I think we need to reform right away. First, we need to stop blaming teachers and scolding the people that are actually trying to educate the children. We need to support both our students and our teachers to foster a productive learning environment. The other thing we need to reform is our classrooms sizes.
I am a student teacher and have been taught or tutored at numerous schools over the past five years. I have spoken with countless teachers, administrators, and other people who work in the education system. The one thing that the majority of these people can agree on that quality teachers have is an ability to connect with individual students. Quality teachers know their students. I don’t mean they have a decent idea of the individual’s academic performance. Quality teachers talk to students about their extracurricular activities. Quality teachers encourage their students’ self-expression inside and outside of the classroom. Quality teachers listen to students. It is easier for a teacher to connect with their students if they are teaching fifteen or twenty instead of thirty or thrity-five. It is easier for students to connect with teachers if they are given a large chunk of their teachers’ time.
We spend around nineteen billion tax dollars on education a year. We have a plethora of out of work teachers that are eager to take any job that will allow them to educate Michigan’s youth. There must be a way to redistribute these funds to hire more certified teachers so that we have more positive role models directly educating and mentoring our youth. Not only will it improve our classrooms, this will stimulate the economy by creating more jobs for the mounting number of college graduates.
30 Alexander Moroz // Dec 17, 2011 at 3:20 pm
Feel free to continue this conversation or a similar one with me at: morozale@gmail.com
31 DStafford // Dec 17, 2011 at 3:24 pm
As Mr Moroz states and he is correct on the following ideas that make the difference..However ,not all teachers are willing to take the time or make the effort ! He says here in his response to me …(..The one thing that the majority of these people can agree on that quality teachers have is an ability to connect with individual students. Quality teachers know their students. I don’t mean they have a decent idea of the individual’s academic performance. Quality teachers talk to students about their extracurricular activities. Quality teachers encourage their students’ self-expression inside and outside of the classroom. Quality teachers listen to students. ) Mr. Moroz has it correct!!!These are the qualities that set those teachers apart, those who connect and do the job doing whatever it takes! ds!
32 Mick N // Dec 17, 2011 at 3:42 pm
I think we might solve a large portion of all of the problems with our educational system if instead of spending 19 billion per year we spend 38 billion per year. China is “moving forward” because they’re spending ridiculous amounts of capital. When a large business has a major problem that they need to solve they raise huge amounts of capital to attend to it. Why should this be any different?
How do we raise that money? End recent annual business tax cuts, raise taxes, and promote donations.
If businesses heard that the state of Michigan was investing 100% more than they currently are in their school systems, I think a lot of business owners who are starting families would want to move here.
Money represents a brute force method, but we all know it works.
33 sherry xu // Dec 17, 2011 at 5:23 pm
Education is long term investment, no matter it is for a person, a family, community then nation.
we have old saying: to plant a tree, it takes about 10 years to grow up; to build up a generation, it takes a century. United State right now facing a very low standard K-12th grades education, since you system allow all these music, sports activities involoved in daily acadimic learning. That is why it is hard to find a very good sicence or math teacher in middle or high schools. People do not appreciate basic knowledge which means a lot daily practice, just like all football, basketball practise. We did not see this is happening in the public schools or private schools.
No child left means every kid can get education, but that is not mean every kid can go to next level education automatically, the system make it so easy for students to get high school diploma.
Once again, parents, students and all citizens should appreciate education and educators. We, people again are soft power for nation. Knowledge is only thing that no one can take away from you.
34 Alex Snow // Dec 18, 2011 at 2:50 pm
The big and I mean BIG question that remains— is will Gov Snyder veto the lifting of the cap on charter schools?
It is assumed that the Gov WILL sign this legislation— but, don’t bet the farm just yet. In watching the Gov on Channel 4 with Devin Scillion and in other comments— he seemed to — as this author has done– but the focus back on QUALITY.
There are some great and some really bad charter schools– and they are not policing themselves and no one else is either. Mark my word– a major scandal is brewing that will show how kids did not get educated and some charter operators have walked off with lots of the publics cash.
Quality matters– so does honesty, integrity and proper oversight.
35 Pam // Dec 19, 2011 at 10:32 am
Please tell me — where are all these “quality” charter schools anyway?
From what I have seen — most are lousy
36 Terry Miles // Dec 19, 2011 at 12:33 pm
Great article, Tom. I particularly like the reminder that our true bottom line is student learning.
Charter schools are another venue for reform rather than a practice of reform. I think not only of what happens in classrooms but what occurs with parents and caregivers. Creating expectations among these people and encouraging their participation in the personalized learning of the children appears to be an area in which charter schools may have greater opportunities.
Other arguments about the relative superiority of one school system over another leave me uninspired, too. I’d favor less talk about ideologies/institutions and more talk about outreach to where students live most of their lives.
Again, Tom, great work.
37 Cindy Johnson // Dec 19, 2011 at 2:35 pm
Kudos Tom Wakins! You have been sounding the siren to help our children. Charter schools may not be the perfect solution but we need to be doing anything we can to help. I’d be interewsted in hearing more from you on some charter schools in Detroit that you think are working…
38 Erin // Dec 19, 2011 at 2:42 pm
Too much politics in our schools— keep the poltics out and let the learning in.
No student or parent care what you call a school…..What they want is a safe place, with caring adults who will help them/their kid be prepared for the future and have a chance to do well in life.
For parents– all this other stuff is just poltical background noise– to protect what exists at the espense of their kids.
Schools are like the Field of Dreams— create a good one– and the students and parents will flock there!
39 Agnes // Dec 19, 2011 at 11:26 pm
Please no more on charter schools! Let’s first fix the one we have and then wory about adding more later!
40 Beth L. // Dec 20, 2011 at 10:06 am
Focusing on what works! What a novel concept coming from the Capitol Dome!
Ah, how I wish it were so easy! When you have billions up for grabs— there will always be fights. If it were truly — “about the kids” it would be so, so much easier.
41 Bill L. // Dec 20, 2011 at 12:01 pm
This should be required reading for the Gov BEFORE he signs the lack of accountability and oversight, lacking in quality control, charter school expansion bill.
Once this “cap” is listed the profit motivated folks will swoop in and it will be ALL about the money– mark my word!
The Governor stands between the unleashing of an educational scam.
42 kris k // Dec 21, 2011 at 9:22 am
despite all the talk of charter schools and wonderment, our kids are still growingly uneducated and ill-prepared to compete against kids in china, india… where;s the beef!
43 tony schultz // Dec 21, 2011 at 11:37 pm
This state is desperate for good schools, if charter schools can do it better — please, bring them on!
44 peter bittel // Dec 22, 2011 at 5:48 am
Mr. Watkins reminds us of rhetoric that avoids the compelling focus of what works for children. many years ago, Watkins as state superintendent was cerdited with what was then and perhaps now a revolutionary comment:
” schools often function to meet the needs of adults, not the needs of children.” we still struggle with the same challenge. Keep it up Tom
45 Annette Beson // Dec 23, 2011 at 3:35 pm
Shame Gov Snyder did not read this essay and the thoughtful quotes BEFORE he signed this legislation.
As the author says, we need quality schools. There is little in this new law that will assure that quality learning will be the result.
We will see both lousy, schools and money being made off the backs of our kids. No, I am not saying that all is perfect with the public education system we currently have— there are problems and adults doing quite well at the expense of our kids. Yet, this law will not make it better— and likely worse.
I predict some major scandals coming. Sadly, the press has been cut back so badly– they cant do their job to uncover the scandals.
Someone make note– you were warned here about the problems to come
46 Tim // Jan 10, 2012 at 5:52 pm
This is right on point!
Happy my colleague sent me this link. Watkins, thank you for your consistant quality message and putting educators and kids over political ideology– regardless if it comes from the left or right.
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