The politicians and other well known people who say that we must let them fail or they will continue to repeat the same practices that got them to this point in the first place make a good point. Didn’t they realize last year, or even the year before, that the whole concept couldn’t continue? You can’t keep losing money and expect to succeed in the long run. What are they thinking? Why didn’t they change, and radically, years ago?

If we let them fail it will ruin the economy and devastate the country, others say. Maybe so, but do we want to perpetuate a losing industry? Radical change must come and come quickly.

How is the education system in America any different than the American auto industry?
The system is supported by unprecedented spending and focus on accountability, yet it is failing. Why do I say that? How about the fact that 40% of American 4th graders can’t read at grade level? How about a system that leaves behind the disadvantaged (Title 1) and limited English proficient (Title 3) students to the tune of 65% of 4th graders who can’t read at grade level? Does that sound good for the economy or healthy for our country?

The education system in America is broken and needs the same type of radical change that the American auto industry needs. Everyone knows that the American auto industry needs to make cleaner, more efficient cars. Well, guess what? Everyone knows that the American education system needs to focus more on individualized instruction to help the kids that need it most.

The time has come for our leaders and all stakeholders in our kids education to acknowledge the obvious and make the necessary change to the system. We have an archaic, teacher-centric system that doesn’t work for many of the students it serves. New methods and new technologies such as automated instruction and differentiated instruction must be instituted. The technology is available but the entrenched rank and file of the highly fragmented education system refuse to change. Why change if it’s not broken? Guess what? It is broken and the first thing today’s educators must realize is that failure can’t continue to be tolerated. Take a lesson from the American auto industry.