Grounds: In Alabama 18% of 8th graders are proficient in math, 14% in Mississippi, 40% in New Jersey, 35% in Connecticut, 40% in New York, 26% in Arizona, and 24% in California. These statistics further prove the claim that many schools in America are doing well below average work in teaching and preparing students to get jobs and be well educated citizens. Sometimes it isn’t the parent’s choice to send their son or daughter to these failing schools. Why should they be even more penalized, especially penalizing a young child? Some of the parents are very involved and it’s the teachers who are not doing well and making the learning environment nonexistent. We now have really good, time-tested knowledge of what works in education. We know that good teachers accelerate student learning and poor ones significantly impede it. Parent engagement makes an enormous difference. And with every step down the economic scale, good teachers and parent engagement matters more. We’ve also learned that this knowledge has seldom affected the assignment of teachers, whose own preferences and protective work rules lead them to the schools whose students need them least – but whose political clout is greatest. Failing schools don’t usually attract the best teachers. And the system doesn’t place them there. Skip to next paragraphWe’ve learned that, for teachers, greater experience and more college credits are a weak indicator of teacher quality measured by the all-important question of a teacher’s consistent ability in improving her student’s learning. For school leaders – principals and superintendents – experience does matter. More experienced leaders tend to be better at their jobs. Most important, we have learned – and are still learning – just how important leadership is to the whole reform effort. We know that strong…