RE: Question 1a: What's Missing

Phil Farris provides some insightful observations.  At one level he mentions the abstractness and generality of the Master Plan and then speaks to the preference for a more detailed Plan with concrete programs and practices that could be implemented locally.  These observations represent one of the challenges in developing an education Master Plan that contains a clear set of expectations for learning outcomes or student achievement but stops short of telling every district and school in the state exactly how to go about achieving these expectations.  Some discussants have asserted that the level of prescription preferred by Phil has largely contributed to the volumes of statutes and regulations that now frustrate many in the public education system.

It is a difficult balance to achieve in an undertaking as ambitious as this one.  But thoughtful comments such as those being expressed will go a long way towards helping us produce a Plan that can be embraced by the majority of Californians who, in turn accept a share of responsibility to help in its successful implementation.