Ideas for the 21st Century

My brilliant college friend, Dana, is doing a PhD in public policy, and sent me this bit about the realities of education in the 21st century. It was written in 2002, but it is still fresh.

Here are some insights that spoke to me:

Every student should leave school with high levels of curiosity and persistence, the real key to lifelong learning...

And:

Demand for quality, effectiveness, and service is increasing. People expect it in every aspect of their lives, including their schools.

And:

Nanotechnology--technology at the molecular level--will very likely drive the economy of the future. Who will develop these new technologies? It will be the students who are now in our schools.

Our superintendent, Dr. Alvarez, seems like an ideas person. But I don't know that for sure. And what about our principal and board members? And teachers themselves, the ones on the front lines, who have everyday influence over, and insight into, kids--what they want, what they need? Are the people who really matter thinking about this stuff?

Some of the blogs on my roll, below, feature such teachers. But it would be so awesome to hear from local educators on this stuff.

The recent BOE brouhaha (elected vs. appointed), the current intense debate over where our tax money should go (e.g. schools vs. senior care centers), the new nominating procedure for future BOE members...Well, that's all important.

But I want to hear ideas--from the people who can implement them. Wouldn't it be cool to have regular roundtables featuring teachers from various levels and schools in M-clair, focusing around one issue or question?

For instance, what's it like to teach third grade in the age of NCLB? What do middle school teachers see as strengths in our adolescent students? If our high school teachers could make one wish about their day-to-day professional lives, what would it be?

It could be interesting.