SCHOOLS THAT DO TOO MUCH: Wasting Time and Money in Schools and What We Can All Do About It

In this concise proposal for school reform, Kralovec asks a simple question, but one with complex and profound implications: "what would happen if we held all school programs to the same criterion: they must contribute to learning in core academic areas as defined by state learning standards?" Schools are trying to do so much, she says, that actual time for instruction has eroded, students suffer fragmented and chaotic school days, and they leave school unprepared for the challenges of the world. Kralovec—former schoolteacher, education professor and consultant—is no back-to-basics ideologue. Her acclaimed and controversial book The End of Homework argued against excessive homework and made a case for releasing children and parents from this burden. But she does care about learning, and to the extent that competitive athletics in particular, but other "extras" as well, detract from this essential mission, they should be reconsidered, she says. Kralovec calls for schools and communities to "recalibrate" their relationship, with communities becoming actively involved in providing educational opportunities for young people—e.g., sports, drama and community service—and to allow schools and teachers to do what they do best: focus on academic learning. This will involve a radical shifting of priorities and budgets, deep changes in school structures and a new commitment on the part of parents, teachers and others to participate in the lives of young people. Kralovec's succinct work should set the tone for conversations that administrators, school boards and politicians need to be having across the nation in order to improve education. (Feb. 17)