Comments on: It’s time for teachers unions to lead http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2011/08/24/its-time-for-teachers-unions-to-lead/ Fri, 24 May 2013 19:36:13 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: putridpundits http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2011/08/24/its-time-for-teachers-unions-to-lead/comment-page-1/#comment-36698 putridpundits Wed, 24 Aug 2011 16:37:42 +0000 http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/?p=9962#comment-36698 While it is not an end all fix, improving teacher salaries and reducing class sizes are essential elements to improving the nation's schools. Teaching is not seen as a desirable profession for top college grads to enter (other than the ones who want to do 2 years of TFA and then move on). If we want America's teachers to be great teachers we should start with attracting great candidates to the profession. Pretending that we do not know what a good education entails is disingenuous. Look at Sidwell Friends, or Philips Exeter/Andover. Look at the top schools in the country and you will find small class sizes (around 15 students). The wealthy elites of America know what type of education is best for their children. The same ideas should be brought to public education. We know what works. While it is not an end all fix, improving teacher salaries and reducing class sizes are essential elements to improving the nation’s schools. Teaching is not seen as a desirable profession for top college grads to enter (other than the ones who want to do 2 years of TFA and then move on). If we want America’s teachers to be great teachers we should start with attracting great candidates to the profession.

Pretending that we do not know what a good education entails is disingenuous. Look at Sidwell Friends, or Philips Exeter/Andover. Look at the top schools in the country and you will find small class sizes (around 15 students). The wealthy elites of America know what type of education is best for their children. The same ideas should be brought to public education. We know what works.

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