California Education Reform
Foreword
Innovative Educational Reform for California Public Schools
What do the growing educational achievement gap, the ever-changing population of students, the quality of teachers and schools, and decreasing funds have in common? They are all part of the big picture that is education in California today. This Educasting series, hosted by Mark Sommer and combining radio shows with interactive study guides and online resources, details the history that has given rise to the current education system with all its problems and possibilities. Through the course of four programs, Sommer talks with innovative problem-solvers, advocates, educators, parents and students who are working to tackle some of the most pressing educational issues of our day, and in their struggle, are rebuilding, repairing and restructuring schools for the 21st century.
In Separate and Unequal: Funding for Failure in California Public Schools, guests explore how the widening “achievement gap” in California threatens the social, political and economic future of the state. What are the causes of this gap and what could be the consequences if it persists or grows? What strategies could be used to develop better education policy in California? Is increased funding sufficient? Guests explore what else is needed from a policy perspective to improve schools through equitable spending, while also describing teaching methods and school restructuring to improve student performance.
In The New 3R's: Repairing, Redesigning, and Rebuilding Our Public Schools we examine how innovative schools across California are making progress in student performance. What are the most promising strategies to refocus the state's educational funding priorities to better meet the needs of students and communities? What incentives should we consider to keep talented teachers in the profession? What kinds of benefits will these investments provide for communities, the California economy and society over the long run?
At the heart of every great school are great teachers. In For the Love of Learning: Great Teachers, Great Schools, we explore how to improve the quality of teachers in California and what role parents and community members can play to better support teachers in local schools. How can teachers connect better with their students and build effective relationships with parents and colleagues? We learn that as the community that the school supports changes demographically, educators must adapt their practices to the language and literacy needs of the population
. One of the most drastic consequences of this neglect is students dropping out of school. In Dropout Nation: Failing School, Failing Students, guests explain why students drop out and how this impacts the state. While the “cycle of low expectations” in schools today does have a long-term impact, innovative strategies are being implemented to reverse the rising dropout trend.
The goal of this series is to stimulate conversation that will deepen the public's understanding of the obstacles and possibilities surrounding education in California today. This series is from A World of Possibilities, a production of Mainstream Media Project, and is funded by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation.
By utilizing the broadcast media to focus on innovative, solution-oriented insights, we aim to elevate public awareness and public discourse about key California issues so that legislators will ultimately respond to the collective public will.