Jim McLaughlin's Blog

[Terrific list that has MANY applications. jb] Let’s try to put this back together into 10 guiding principles for taking advantage of productive turbulence: With exponential change, you can’t communicate enough and transparency is the only option Build culture first, principles second, systems third Lay the groundwork for a few non-negotiables like college and career… Read more

The idea behind the Fair Elections bill was that candidates could solicit small donations from people in their state or district — whether up to $100, $250 or $500 — and if they crossed a threshold of support designed to avoid subsidizing fringe candidates, they would receive $4 of public matching funds for every dollar… Read more

Though I aspired to being more than a reminder of some facts of life as member of a board of education, gravity was at least a starting point. And I appreciated my friend’s larger message: that much good can come from keeping institutions honest. In fact, as I reflect on the last five years of… Read more

Good news for new high school graduates who dont think college-level algebra or freshman English is their thing. A study released Wednesday finds that certificates awarded through short-term vocational training programs can reap a bigger payoff than a bachelors degree. via Study: Vocational certificates can payoff more than a bachelors – USATODAY.com. Read more

U.S. public schools serve a variety of purposes. They conserve contemporary values, attitudes, and social mores. They provide economic opportunity and social mobility to children of less advantaged families and thereby promote a dynamic society. They ensure a supply of educated workers. They help take care of and raise children whose parents carry out economic… Read more

Policymakers and pundits have decried “our failing schools” so often it’s become an accepted truth. But the naysayers are wrong. To be sure, our schools need to do better. But we have much to be proud of, too, and it’s on this foundation that we can build a 21st century system that will work for… Read more