I don’t always agree with Jay Matthews, and definitely don’t agree with his ranking system that relies almost exclusively on test scores, but I do agree with this comment from his recent article in the Washington Post:

Governors, as well as school board members, do have the power to make schools better, but very few have ever done so. Usually the best work is done by aggressive teachers and principals who know what they want and work very hard to get it, without ever asking anyone to vote for them. Jay Mathews - Seven Ways Politicians Are Dumb About Schools

This is what sometimes gets dubbed “activism” by the “grass roots” folk, and “rebellion” by the ones in power. It’s an important thing, and must be done. And more need to do it. Discover what works, what inspires, what helps … find what you need to make it happen … and ignore the ones (including parents and “bosses”) who keep telling you not to do it.

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