Beyond the Classroom: Why School Reform Has Failed ans What Parents Can Do

Journal of Negro Education, The, Summer 1996 by William Franklin

The basic shortcoming of this work is reflected in the authors' argument that "we must transform the national debate over the causes and cures of our achievement problems from one about reforming schools to one about changing students' and parents' attitudes and behaviors" (p. 15). They note that school reform efforts have been in operation for nearly 15 years and have accomplished little.

Is it their contention that all of the reform efforts thus far adopted have been without flaws? This is certainly not accurate, especially as it applies to the lives of poor and ethnic minority youth. In those areas that school reform initiatives have not been effective or made significant improvements in achievement outcomes, different strategies must be investigated and implemented until the desired outcome is achieved. Moreover, why must the question of improving the educational achievement of these youth be reduced to an either/ or focus? Educators would be better advised to pursue a both/and approach-an examination of in-school and out-ofschool factors that impact academic achievement. Those who care about the education of all American children cannot afford to look exclusively beyond the classroom when there are so many uncaring, culturally incompetent, racist, antagonistic, and oppressive school environments that could still benefit greatly from effective school reform strategies. We cannot continue to exclusively ask: Is the child ready for school or is the child at risk of school failure? We must also ask: Is the school ready for the child or is the school at risk of failing the child?