Just think of all that tax money going to management. On the United States Department of Labor site Bureau of Labor Statistics I found the following information:
Now, don't misunderstand me. Its not that I believe that the *Job Description* doesn't warrant those earnings (all though it does seem a bit too cushy to me - especially when teachers have to buy classroom resources with their own money). No, what I mean may even be more offensive.According to a survey of public schools conducted by Educational Research Service, average salaries for principals and assistant principals in the 2007-2008 school year were as follows:
Principals: Senior high school $97,486 Jr. high/middle school 91,334 Elementary school 85,907 Assistant principals: Senior high school 79,391 Jr. high/middle school 76,053 Elementary school 71,192
I mean that all this talk about school reform is because the schools are failing. And all of that money going to an admitted failure is painful to see when the answer is quite simple.
Let the children mess about!
Take John Holt's sage advice and just let them 'mess about'. All those wonderful resources! Things like math games, gym equipment, books, books, books!
Even more inspiring is all those talented teachers who would love to share their knowledge with kids who want to learn what they love to teach. If only we could take away our need to control these children and let them lead using the amazing resources available in public school. The teachers could be reinvigorated as Scaffolding Experts (see Howard Gardner's work on the concept of scaffolding).
You'd be surprised what children ask to learn when you truly let go of your demands and expectations and just let them Be. They learn what they need. They learn what they want. They retain what they learn.
It may have to stay in the realm of dreams for us for a while, but I know I'm not the only one with Resource dreams. Someday we will see this option available for a large portion of our young people. Dream with me.
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