"Community by community, school by school." - education - editorial

Nation's Business, Oct, 1991 by Robert T. Gray

What changes are needed to bring the U.S. school system up to the challenges of the 21st century? That is the basic question in The Great Education Debate now under way in America. The discussions center on such fundamentals as cost: Is drastically increased spending the solution? And on scheduling: Should American students spend more time in school? Ways to test achievements are also key factors in the debate. So is the question of government responsibility for children whose family situations work against their academic success.

While that far-reaching and complex debate continues, it is cheering to note that substantial progress is already being made throughout the country toward the goal of education reform. That progress is the subject of this month's cover story, "Schools That Work," on Page 20. Senior Editor Joan Szabo spotlights success stories reaching from inner city to affluent suburb, and it is significant that the improvements in place and producing results are there because of strong business involvement.

The success of these diverse programs demonstrates the willingness and ability of business people to accept the three-way challenge from Deputy Education Secretary David T. Kearns, a former corporate executive (see the interview on Page 25): Support real change, as opposed to "playing around the edges"; help educators understand the needs of today's workplace; and remember that school reform is a job done "community by community, school by school."

This cover package will show you how that formula has been applied in ways that will give you ideas for your own community, and it will demonstrate how business people like yourself have proven that they can make a difference.