Excellence for all: How us schools can ensure student success

Abstract

If the United States is to be prepared to compete and lead in an ever changing interdependent global economy and ecosystem, then an equal opportunity for any student, regardless of social standing or income level, to achieve high academic standards must be a national priority. It is not only an investment in human capital but also the purest expression of social justice. With an abundance of human potential, this should be easily accomplished. However, roadblocks such as ineffective governance, inconsistent leadership, misappropriated funding, and the way we currently identify, train, compensate, and retain top-notch teachers are major impediments. The author removes these roadblocks by proposing a new model of governance, leadership, and funding. Pathways to student success, instructional practices implemented in many classrooms throughout the country, are discussed. These pathways have proven to provide an excellent education for all students equipping them to perform at a high standard and acquire a deep understanding of information.