Radical Reform versus Professional Reform in American Schools: A View from Southern California

Abstract

Discusses the nature & implications of the debate between professional & radical educational reformers, with a specific focus on southern California, & Los Angeles. The professional reform movement is characterized by a loose confederation of mostly professional educators seeking a large & visible reform agenda, while the radical reformers comprise a smaller group from the noneducational sector with a less-public agenda. Despite the relative size & strength of the professional reformers, a number of recent developments have undermined their historical dominance: the perception that local schools are not recognizing or addressing local community aspirations; increasing cultural, ethnic, & socioeconomic differentiation in schools; & failure to connect local schools with the community. Therefore, parents, politicians, & local civic leaders have sought greater control over locally insensitive educational practices, & the universal reforms of the professionals have lost popularity. It is argued that granting local communities the option of raising local public revenues to support local schools would create greater connection between the school & community, & allow noneducational reformers greater voice & influence. 24 References. T. Sevier