Reflections and Partnerships: Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow

Each year as the school year begins, seasoned teachers arrive experienced and stoic, often thinking about the changes that have occurred over the course of their teaching careers. Newly minted teachers, on the other hand, arrive fresh-f aced and eager, thinking of all the changes yet to come. During the opening days of school, we often reflect on the transformations in education and how they influence our field. Some of these changes have been grand and sweeping; others have been subtle and quiet. But let us take a moment to consider these questions: In 50 years, what might our schools look like? Will they be brick-and-mortar buildings? Will textbooks be packed into drooping book bags that are dragged home each night? How can we, as literacy educators, help to shape our own futures and, more importantly, create opportunities for students to design theirs?Where Have We Been?Before we look ahead to where we are going, it seems appropriate to reflect on the history of our profession. The purpose of high school education has changed both cyclically and consistently over the past 150 years, and debates between proponents of college preparatory curricula versus supporters of trade-skill curricula continue to flare. However, the goal of offering quality education to all students has been a hallmark of the United States and remains a rhetorical priority.In 1892, the "Committee of Ten," established by the National Education Association, recommended twelve years of pre-collegiate, equitable schooling for all students. The committee argued against tracking students according to their vocational or college plans (Ornstein and Levine 174- 75; Meyer 408). More than 130 years later, students today still face required entrance exams and standardized assessments that affect their access to college (Thomas and Brady). Increased accountability for public school teachers and their students maintains the significance of high-stakes testing.Furthermore, funding is historically linked to educational opportunity. The first public schools were established in the mid-1800s in cash-rich areas of the United States, and the goal of promoting education as a means for fighting poverty continued into the 1900s (Goldin 195). In fact, the idea that school quality affects the economy is still popular today. During the 1910s and 1940s, high school funding and attendance spiked and a turn toward teaching general life skills versus a college preparatory curriculum prevailed (Goldin 195). Schools became more localized and were geographically rooted. Title 1 funding, introduced in the 1960s, focused on equalizing access to education and maintaining high standards and accountability (Thomas and Brady 26, 51). Today, teachers and students continue to work within these standardized expectations.Education, as a whole, involves an everevolving body of students, teachers, administrators, public officials, parents, and community members. Enduring tensions regarding the purpose of education, effective curriculum design and implementation, and the roles of students, teachers, and parents continue to spark conversations among educational professionals and stakeholders. Issues surrounding the meaning of "equitable education" and equal access require teachers to be sensitive to the needs of all students to promote a safe, stable classroom environment. New technologies and social changes also demand that teachers be aware of new challenges that today's students face. In short, education is intended to be responsive to society, and the organic relationship between society and education is a defining characteristic of the US public school system.Where Are We Going?Let's now imagine the next 50 years. What changes will our schools face? While the need for quality education systems will continue to exist, the vehicles through which this goal is accomplished will be dramatically revised. In addition, the focus on global awareness and global competition will likely increase, creating a need for students to be prepared for an ever-changing and unpredictable world. …