RE: Question 1a: What's Missing

I see elsewhere that some participants in this discussion approved of the "general" nature of the Master Plan while I am lamenting its lack of practical guidance. And Charle's comment that specificity leads to rigidity highlighted the need for caution as we move forward in our "Five Year Pla..." er, Master Plan. I'm the last person to invite further oppressive oversight from Sacramento.

This raises a question about accountability:  Mostly, the State uses the word to mean that schools are held accountable to the DOPI (wouldn't that be a better acronym for the department of public instruction?). But as I read the law, it actually says that the DOPI State is accountable to the legislature to successfully provide accessible educational opportunities to all Californians. Instead of reams of reports streaming from the schools to the DOPI proving their subservient compliance to obtuse regulations, this alternative "view" of accountability would have reams of helpful and encouraging resource materials flowing from the State down to the classroom teachers.

I've been to too many Education conferences where it was obvious that no one wanted to say what they really meant, since they were all harboring caustic criticisms of other levels in the bureaucracy but "protocol" tied their tongues. If we could have a townhall brawl first and then get down to writing a Master Plan in clear language with practical guidelines it might be refreshing.

(I'm the son of a lawyer who was first a Prosecutor and then a Superior Court Judge. You might say he specialized in creating a "BS Free-Zone" in his courtroom. He once banged the gavel and said, "We'll adjourn until counsel is properly prepared for us to continue". Hmmm. An idea comes to mind. Like the movie "Dave", it is said that I look just like Governor Davis. Maybe I could give a speech for him and call for true educational reform in our state.)

However, until that glorious day, I will pray (is that legal?) for Dr. Ratliff's clear thinking and explanations to bear much fruit in the next rewrite of the Master Plan.