In the book Cutting Through the Hype: the Essential Guide to School Reform, authors Jane L. David and Larry Cuban concisely describe various aspects of educational reform. They categorize educational reform into three strategies: reforming the system, reforming how schools are organized, and reforming teaching and learning. Their descriptors are factual, historical and informative, but conspicuously devoid of any information supporting partisan political positions. David and Cuban give the facts about 22 educational reform strategies and not the political spins from either side of the aisle either vociferously supporting or vehemently opposing any of these 22 educational reform strategies. Does the American voter see education reform as another partisan political fight as our political leaders have demonstrated?
Apparently, American voters see education reform much like David and Cuban see education reform, desperately needed and devoid of political bias. According to the Center for the Next Generation Survey of American Voters Attitudes on Education and Global Competitiveness (http://www.tcng.org/files/Survey_of_American_Voters_Attitudes_on_Education_and_
Global_Competitiveness.pdf) and as stated in a recent US Politics Today article (http://uspolitics.einnews.com/pr_news/111185232/more-than-three-in-four-u-s-voters-want-next-president-to-prioritize-education-new-survey-finds), 78 percent of American voters say restoring America’s leadership in global innovation and increasing investments in education should be a top or high priority for the next President. The American voter, regardless of political affiliation, wants education reform but are they willing to pay for educational reform? The answer is a resounding “Yes!” The survey also revealed that by more than a ratio of 2-1, voters are very, or somewhat willing to pay more in taxes if the funds are dedicated to K-12 education programs. The willingness to pay more taxes if funds are dedicated to education improvements was represented by strong majorities of each major political affiliation (81 percent of Democrats surveyed, 59 percent of Independents surveyed and 57 percent of Republicans surveyed.)
The American voter realizes the importance of a strong education system and how it relates to global competitiveness; however, the improvement of our education system is contingent upon employing effective education reforms as described by David and Cuban. Perhaps David and Cuban did not address the politics of educational reform because the urgency of educational reform has superseded political partisanship. The American voter, Democrat, Republican, and Independent, are seemingly cognizant of the need for educational reform and are willing to support reforms with resources. But most importantly, are the politicians listening to their electorate?