Rebuilding Schools for Students

America's educational system is in crisis. Test scores show us that students across America are performing at levels far below their peers overseas. In addition, graduation rates are shamefully low. There is no doubt that America's students deserve better. In a rapidly changing world, our students are not being taught the basic knowledge and skills they need to succeed. It's time for educators, representing the conscience of society, along with parents and community members to get to the root of the problem. By addressing the current issues that contemporary school systems face -- including teacher unions, school reforms, the U.S. Department of Education, technology, NCLB, teachers under scrutiny, teacher tenure, boosting parent engagement, failing schools, and the realities of what works and what doesn't in the charter school realm -- Rebuilding Schools for Students: Let the Change Begin serves to promote change by taking risks and achieving results. Educators should address schools in crisis, develop strategies to go from failure to success, and find common ground. Our students deserve the best.