Carol Sager writes
>Part of the problem is that educators don't usually listen to
>their customers (or even think they have any).
I almost wrote a response that was in total agreement, however, my
experience in working with education personnel has been somewhat
different. When I ask the question of teachers (et al) who their
customer(s) are I usually get "the kids" or the "kids and Parents". Some
school personnel do not like to think of themselves as a business, at
least they have never thought in those terms. Part of reform efforts in
the schools has forced schools to ask the question "who are our...".
I have also found lots of anger in the 'system'. The anger seems to flow
both ways. Parents/taxpayers/community members vs the schools (maybe
taxes, maybe attitudes ....) and most definitely the school employees
towards all and more of the above(maybe degradation of their worth,
attacks on schools in general...)
Carol also said:
>Perhaps we should collaborate and create a shopping
list of to-do's from different vantage points -e.g. more businesses could
encourage executives to run for school boards, etc. I would be glad to print
it. (end of quote)
I wonder if before the to-do list a collaborative description of where we'd
like to end up!! Use this forum. Build the destination first with the to-do
to follow. What do you think?
-- Joe DiVincenzo NEANY@aol.com