Massachusetts Association of School Committees and School Superintendents

Al Shanker notes that public schools are losing political power because the electorate is aging and a smaller percentage of it has children in schools. Additionally, the economy is slowing. Finally, public confidence in public schools is low. Shanker acknowledges there is little they can do about the economy, and only a little more they can do to increase political power. The true place for improvement, he argues, is in restoring the public''s confidence in the school system. He lists several methods for accomplishing this: standardized testing of students, professional entrance examinations for teachers, professional internship programs and mentoring centers for teachers, and improved relationship between teachers and supervisors. He believes that improvement in these areas will increase the competency of educators and in turn enhance confidence in the public school system.

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