Calls to fire the lowest-performing teachers are widespread, but such actions are not likely to improve teacher quality. Instead, educators should focus on improving the education system that can prevent even good teachers from providing high-quality teaching. To improve the teaching environment, educators and policy makers need to better…

After almost three decades of school reform, student achievement nationally is about where it was when it started, and student behavior has declined dramatically. Numbers of dropouts, especially in cities and among the poor and minorities, have gotten much higher. Yet many billions of dollars have been spent; countless professionals have carried…

The current concept of accountability -- defined to emphasize educational results, the allocation of responsibility for results, and the consequences to those held responsible -- represents a powerful force for positive educational change. It may yet produce a fundamental reconstruction of public education. (Author/JN)