RE: Grounding Tenet for Learning

Judith James' points are well taken. We need to honestly acknowledge what has happened since the 1960's with the Master Plan. "Telling it like it is" frees us up to move on - to set goals and targets that create a 'learning society' and 'learning state' - without the baggage. It is critical to succinctly publish what has/has not happened and worked/not worked. It's apparent that some participants have not visited urban and/or low-income schools and/or homes. There's a big divide.

We need to connect demographic realities to every goal. The demographics require us to act as a team - no matter what our politics. California's economic future depends on educating our new majority. Demographics are a uniting force. And California is at the forefront.
 
Then we can get to the basics: We need to have technology in our classrooms and schools and homes- but not as babysitters. Our students need an interested and knowledgeable human present to troubleshoot with them when they need it.
We need MANY MORE QUALITY TEACHERS AND COUNSELORS AND ADMINISTRATORS AND SUPPORT PERSONS. QUALITY personnel truly believe that ANYONE can learn, and they are personally committed to students obtaining an education. 
We need to respect quality personnel by paying them comparable salaries to private industry. Maybe then those scientists from industry would assist in our trenches. We need them. Maybe then the quality first year teachers would stay instead of fleeing, horrified at the conditions they face, while receiving low pay and inadequate mentoring.

Many students do not do well because they are not connected- not wired- to the educational system.  Exemplary educators know how to connect with a majority of students. But there are other interfering systemic/societal issues: Equity. There are many schools that have poor or no computer systems and inadequate facilities and leadership. Lack of family support is another systemic/societal issue. Many students are so enmeshed with family problems that they have little attention left for school. We need to band together to expand quality social services and the legislature needs to enact laws that support families to learn how to raise and support kids. 
 
We need to fund education (and the supporting social services)  as much as we do defense. 

All of these facets affect quality student learning.