Whenever people gather to discuss problems in education, we hear the same list of issues and solutions. We hear about poverty and the need for bigger budgets at all levels, more self-esteem, professional teacher corps, charter schools, vouchers, tutoring and remediation, new literacies, better assessment, year-round schools, pre-K, schools that are more permissive or more strict, the effects of drugs, the impact of violent sports, and the perpetual need for more and more money. Any talk show or other group will invariably touch on the exact same items.  The participants will seem pleased that they are having an in-depth discussion of the options.  But are they?  My suspicion is that you could mandate all these items, served up on a platter with all the trimmings, and nothing would change. The main effect of these discussions is that the Education Establishment distracts the public from the real solutions.  Everyone feels he is...(Read Full Article)