First John Identifies that there is a problem.
-Kids do not like it.
-Teachers do not have control
-Parents are not really aware of what really goes on at school "parents don't know what they don't know".
-The school is the primary factor
-John dispells the myth that money is the problem
-Author of book "Education Myths" is introdcued
-Alternative schools are shown
-Parents can feel helpless because shools have the power
-Schools give up on some students
-A private school is able to do what the public couldn't
-An industry springs up to pursue those denied access by legislation to good scools. A black market forms.
-Countries that allow parents to choose schools tend to outperfom US schools
-In Belgium the money follows the student, not the school
-In that case the teacher has to please the parents, the power lies with them
-American system is a lottery
-The current system does not allow bad schools to close, which is bad for everyone.
-The pressure that schools might close provides stimulus for innovation
-The importance of choice was explained
-Some people are politically privileged in the school system (injustice)
-Standards are dropped to meet political goals
-Education is too important to screw up
-State Education is provided as a monopoly and an inefficient beacracy
-People with vested interests object to necessary change
-The systems focus is not the child, teachers are too protected
-There is a culture of mediocraty, not meritocracy
-Organisations cannot police themselves
-People are hiding behind regulation and bearacracy
-Bad teachers are bought off, paid to do nothing
-It is claimed People who critisise the system "Don't care about kids"
-If you are a good teacher you do not need tenure to protect your job.
-Vouchers that follow the child improved results
