Reflection#8 School Reform

The text describes three waves of education reform. Top down was the first wave were tighter regulations in schools were supported. The emphasis was to transmit culture not to reconstruct it. This top down wave advocated “back to basics” education. The second wave reported by Sizer, Goodlad, Boyer, and others focused on the teacher. By strengthening the teaching profession it would strengthen education. There were many observations and studies done that supported this wave of reform. Bottom up change is what they called it as they empowered educators at the school level and then working up. The third wave of reform is student needs focus where students needs are primary to education. The school would become a comprehensive institution providing various services to children. Such services would include social, medical, and other services all provided by the school. Of these three waves the top down wave continues to be the strongest. There is an emphasis on test and standards that make schools accountable for students learning basic skills. Due to the results of “A Nation at Risk” the schools are held to a higher standard. Poor student achievement and test scores measured against worldwide scores prompted the back to basic reform. In my opinion the wave has been so strong because as Americans we want our children to be able to compete on a global scale. We have a desire to be superior to everyone and if other countries far surpass us then they are superior to us. Back to basic reform is so strong because it puts major emphasis on standard test taking. By testing the students on information that other students around the world are tested on we can judge where that child places.