No-Cost School Reform: Bulletin #1

This series is intended to highlight no-cost ways in which to improve our schools. These proposals involve no "outside experts" and no jargon.

How can parents and citizens have an effect on curriculum and instruction? Want to find out if it's really the way your child says it is?

It's entirely possible to audit classes. Set it up with the school ahead of time. Trade places with a friend or have a trusted friend go in your stead if you're concerned about repercussions. The very act puts someone on their guard! Observe as many classes as possible. Use some common sense. Is the teacher prepared? Are the students paying attention? What's the interaction between them? You don't need to be an expert in a subject to see whether learning is occuring!

When you have completed the audit, share your observations with the public through this site or any other suitable manner; and by all means, share your observations and suggestions with the school Principal and Superintendent.

We encourage readers to make reform proposals, via email or through comments (where anonymity is possible), or face-to-face.

Those working in the system are especially encouraged to make suggestions; undoubtedly you've had ideas of simple changes to improve instruction, improve feedback to the community, and to make the system generally "lighter on its feet!" Let us know!