I have often thought that part of the problem with school policy and decision-making is that those who are in power of making decisions are the furtherest removed from the classroom. To master and truly understand the issues in curriculum, how budgets affect classroom instruction, etc., you need to see and experience it on a first-hand basis.
However, for many larger city mayors, they are causing quite a controversy by placing business-savvy professionals with no formal educational background in high-level education positions. A recent article in The Christian Science Monitor explores the question, "Education reform: Have business-savvy officials improved big-city schools?" The article reviews the decisions of recent Mayors who have control of schools as opposed to school boards. It looks at the decisions of the mayors of D.C., Chicago and New York City as it explores how the decisions these mayors may make follow current educational policy or not. What happens when you have a weak vs. a strong mayor and what are the affects of a mayor not in office long term.
Personally, I think that placing business savvy professionals versus those with an educational background really has a negative impact on curriculum, pedigogy, instruction and most importantly the students. What are your thoughts?
Reference:
Education reform: Have business-savvy officals improved big-city schools? The Christian Science Monitor. Retrieved 12/4/10.
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