Michael Kirst - The Political Dynamics of American Education

The speaker, a seasoned education policy expert, shares insights from his extensive career. He discusses the evolution of federal and state education policies, highlighting their limitations and the importance of improving classroom instruction. He emphasizes the need for local constituencies to support and sustain reforms. Current strategies focus on long-term classroom changes, local accountability, and capacity building. The speaker advocates for patience, persistence, and humility in implementing educational reforms.

What was one of the significant impacts of the federal policies discussed by the speaker?

• Improved teacher salaries

• Reduction in school dropout rates

• Creation of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act

• Increased number of private schools

According to the speaker, what is a major limitation of federal policy in education?

• Focus on urban schools only

• Overemphasis on technology

• Distance from classroom realities

• Lack of funding

What did the speaker identify as a challenge in professional development at the state level?

• Insufficient funding

• Varied quality and lack of follow-up

• Lack of qualified trainers

• Over-reliance on technology

What is necessary to support educational changes at the local level, according to the speaker?

• More standardized testing

• Creation of a local constituency

• Increased federal oversight

• Higher teacher salaries

What approach is being used in California to improve instruction, as mentioned by the speaker?

• Increased standardized testing

• Privatization of schools

• Local control funding formula

• Centralized curriculum development

What are the key values emphasized by the speaker for successful educational reform?

• Technology, funding, and infrastructure

• Innovation, speed, and competition

• Patience, persistence, and humility

• Authority, control, and discipline

What does the speaker believe is crucial for adapting state policy to local contexts?

• Increased federal funding

• Blending policy instruments with local needs

• Standardized testing

• Centralized decision-making