Education News has posted an open letter from the National Association of Scholars on how to improve American high schools. Summaries of the specific recommendations are below, but the whole thing is definitely worth reading.
Recommendation One: Ethos of Academic Achievement
Academic achievement is promoted as the first priority of all high schools, no matter how they are structured or staffed...
Recommendation Two: Diversity of High School Curricula
Wherever possible, and depending on the size of the school district, students and parents are able to have a choice of a discipline-centered or technical career-oriented curriculum, whether housed in independent or adjoining structures...
Recommendation Three: Core Curriculum across all High Schools
There is a core curriculum across all schools to facilitate transfers and college preparation for all. Coursework in each subject is determined by teachers and subject matter experts, not students...
Recommendation Four: Faculty
Teachers of core subjects have academic majors and at least a M.A.T. (if not M.A. or M.S.) degree in the subject they teach...
Recommendation Five: Length of School Day and Year and Diversity of School Size
All high schools have a longer school year and day—closer to the international average...High schools have student bodies of 500 at a minimum, in order to provide the necessary curriculum content and services, and ensure that the school’s curriculum or orientation is not dependent on the leadership and support of a few particular administrators or teachers...
Recomendation Six: Principal/Headmaster
The principal or headmaster has fiscal and managerial autonomy...The principal or headmaster is able to hire the teachers he/she wants.
Recommendation Seven: Provisions for Acceleration and Remediation
Intensive remedial courses in reading and mathematics are available on the premises, based on placement tests for all entering students...Acceleration is allowed and encouraged for those capable of taking more advanced courses in any subject in the high school, with advanced courses beyond what is provided in the normal academic curriculum offered at the high school by instructors from nearby institutions of higher education if needed...
Recommendation Eight: Diversity of Diplomas Available
Diplomas specify focus and/or type of curriculum taken, but all students must pass end of course exams in grades 10 and 11 for core curriculum subjects that are based on state standards...
Notice there is nothing there about "self-esteem," cultural diversity, fostering community, or all the other fluffy ideas that are being pushed to the forefront of education these days. These ideas don't expect all students to learn the same things in the same ways - but the focus must remain on learning nonetheless.
Posted by kswygert at February 11, 2005 01:51 PM