External Forces on Education

I just finished reading a journal article that once again points out that when there is reform in education-it is driven by a top-down approach. When will we as a society or as educators be political animals and take back our government? I know I am getting off on a rant here but the more I listen to the news and have discussions with my students and colleagues the more I am convinced that the nation is in "a moral adolescence." The rate of homelessness in children, the rate of teenage pregnancy, the lack of value in education as reflected in teacher pay and the comments in the blogs following any online articles regarding education. Ugh-what should one do? I always said that when I win the power ball I would start a charter school and fund a housing environment for single parents that would provide child care and access to medical treatment. But now I think once I finish my terminal degree I need to get going and open the school and do what I can to make a positive difference because I don't know that in my current position that my sphere of influence is as large as it could be if I were somewhere else. Okay I will step away from the computer to move my laundry along. Until the next blog...