Even within the systemic and institutional aspects of school reform, a framework of sub-issues emerges.  While the education debate has often focused on standards and accountability, choice versus traditional schools, or teachers and unions, these sub-issues tell the underlying story.  If we are to address educational reforms in a fully comprehensive way, we need to recognize, understand, and evaluate these underlying sub-issues and address them directly.  Only then can we move forward to fully turn around our American educational system.

FEDERAL LEGISLATION & REGULATIONS 

• Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA)
• Individuals with Disabilities Act (IDEA)
• Rehabilitation Act (Section 504)

CHARTER SCHOOLS

• The effect of choice
• Effective “laboratories” of success — models for traditional public schools to emulate, where appropriate
• The importance of leadership, good charter school board management, and a well-designed charter

SCHOOL TURNAROUNDS

• New flexibility under ESSA
• Designing and implementing evidence-based solutions

FUNDING

• Political posturing, sufficient operational resources, and budgeting
• State differences, regional differences, and geographical inequalities
• Funneling more funding into the classrooms

SCHOOL BUILDINGS

• Structure and organization of schools and physical classroom spaces
• Funding for capital improvements

ADMINISTRATORS

• Preparation and professional development
• Time management, vision, and need for high-level systemic analysis that is concurrent with daily, urgent management of people, place, and things
• Superintendent and principal turnover

TEACHERS

• Quality of teachers in challenging geographical areas (inner cities and rural communities), as well as fields like special education or math and science
• Preparation from teacher colleges, alternative teacher preparation programs, and the overwhelming need for professional development in fundamental skills
• State licensing, role of unions, recruitment, pay, pensions, and other issues regarding teachers’ professionalism
• Working conditions, teacher absenteeism, and teacher turnover

CURRICULUM

• Substantive curriculum changes, especially in math and language arts
• Alignment with the states’ standards and/or common core skills
• Fostering creativity and reducing the sense of “teaching to the test” and “drill and kill”
• 21st century skills
• Innovative approaches to learning, i.e. project-based learning, student-centered learning, and personalized learning
• The use of technology to create a blended learning experience

CLIMATE & CULTURE

• Student absenteeism
• Appropriate placement and supports for students with disabilities, English language learners, or struggling students
• Classroom management
• Addressing underlying causes and individual student behavioral challenges to support individual students and ensure that other students are not adversely affected
• Safety, student discipline, and alternatives to suspension or expulsion (school to prison pipeline)

ACCOUNTABILITY 

• Designing and implementing appropriate state student assessments
• Using the information and data gathered from the assessments in effective ways to improve student learning and achievement
• Longitudinal studies and growth model

These sub-issues often take precedence in school reform debates.  As noted in our unique approach to comprehensive education reform, however, they are only a part of the bigger whole, which must include Student Supports, Family Engagement, and Community Building.