Any human endeavor will always have room for improvement and education is no exception. But when the critics become so aggressive that they insist on perfection then we have an irrational approach to reform. That is why NCLB was extremely flawed by setting an impossible goal for schools to achieve and then punishing them when they didn't achieve the impossible!

Isn't it interesting that education is the only profession where those professionals working there aren't considered professionals? Where their expertise and knowledge base as they mature and move through the profession aren't valued either? In other professions, experience and on the job experience is valued and much preferred. You would rather have an experienced surgeon doing your surgery or an experienced lawyer handling your case. Not so much in education. Reformers wish to get rid of the more experienced because they cost too much!

Isn't it interesting that in other professions it is quite alright for people to seek better financial rewards but if teachers do then it is an act of the union that must be squashed and is downright insulting. Everyone knows that teachers are overpaid and work shorter contract years than others so they should be valued less also! Is there any other profession where the professionals that work there know less than the public believes about teachers? After all, everyone is an expert relative to education because we all went to school at some point!

It is also interesting that NCLB has included perfection as the expectation for educators. I wonder if Policemen are expected to solve all crime and stop all crime? Are lawyers expected to win every case? Are Doctors supposed to save all people that come to them no matter their condition? Are firemen expected to prevent all fires? Are college and pro coaches expected to win every game?

We have room for improvement in education and will have professionals working diligently to accomplish as much as possible. It would help if the public we are striving to serve would stop the rhetorical attacks, the petty unrealistic expectations and roll up their sleeves to help us do this extremely important job!