K-12 public education is in desperate need of reform. The current system is obsolete and fails to effectively educate the majority of students. A complete transformation is necessary.
Public policy is needed to redesign education from:
Adult-focused to student-focused
Input-focused to output-focused
Teaching-focused to learning-focused
Group-focused to individual-focused
Time-focused to competency-focused
Since state governments largely control public education funding and most of the major related aspects of K-12, we propose that change must happen at the state level to be most transformational and sustainable.
Fundamental transformation of public schools will not happen overnight. A multi-year strategy in two phases is proposed to achieve lasting change and positive results for students.
Phase One
Identify Reform-Minded States. Our early research efforts are focused on identifying states that are positioned for change and equipped with courageous state leaders who are willing to buck the education establishment in favor of meaningful reforms.
Promote Choice Legislation. The formal education of the child, which is probably one of the most important aspects of raising a child, is not currently a parental choice. We promote and support school choice legislation in all its forms — vouchers, tax-credit scholarships, education savings accounts, and charter schools.
Pass Innovation Districts Legislation. We support passing legislation that will grant greater flexibility for administrators to enact change within their schools. By allowing public school districts to apply for waivers that grant flexibility for school administrators, we empower school administrators to implement innovative solutions to problems that they witness in their classrooms.
Pass Leadership Institute Legislation. We propose the creation of leadership institutes that train educational entrepreneurs to be agents of change within their schools, and to oversee innovation districts.
Phase Two
Appointed School Board Legislation. Change is a difficult, long-term process that is continually impeded by school board elections. Appointed school boards will provide the stability of governance that is critical to implementing lasting, far-sighted reforms.
Modifying Certification Laws. The education profession should be open to our brightest and most talented citizens. By removing barriers that prevent issue experts from becoming teachers, we can hire teachers based on qualifications — not just their certification.
School Funding Legislation. The current funding system greatly constrains innovation by heavily restricting how school districts can spend their money. We believe that education funding should follow the child, and be based on the cost to educate that child — making school funding a function of both the number and the needs of children who are being educated.
Teacher Compensation Legislation. By eliminating the salary schedule, schools will be able to hire and pay teachers based on school needs, market conditions, and budget allowances — ultimately attracting higher quality teachers. This allows high-demand teachers, like math and science teachers, to be paid more.
Graduation Requirements Legislation. Currently, high school credit hours measure how much time a student spends in a seat. Instead, states should redefine graduation standards and requirements to reflect material learned and college readiness.
In 2014 Don Nielsen wrote a book titled Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education. What inspired him to write the book? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rliQ-FiM1oI&list=PLlOaw7CqpRtu-5bYmDGYqN9cqPLzN1DO8&index=1
Upon retirement you placed a phone call. Who was that first phone call to, and what transpired after that? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwFtJH7pX9w
You spent two years traveling the country (visiting 19 states, meeting with 5 Governors) studying K-12 education. Tell us about that journey and some key highlights and takeaways. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iu8i20LO8Lc
Back when you lived in Virginia, you were involved with one of the labs built at Thomas Jefferson High School, which today is the top ranking public high school in the country. Share with us what that school did that was unique. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fYqSpPo3O4o
When you moved back to Seattle from Virginia, you decided to run for the Seattle Public School Board. What inspired that, and can you walk us through your years of involvement there? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHv9vPTJNoE
Right before September 11, 2021, you were planning a very important meeting to develop a leadership institute. Share with us about that. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdHmMpkZiDc
In 2004, you received the Harvard Business School Alumni Achievement Award. That’s a tremendous honor. What specific program did you provide the vision for at Harvard that contributed toward that recognition? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-XdQwkbFyA
It’s no secret that today’s U.S. K-12 public education system is not working well. Talk to us about the existing system, the problems, and solutions. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8iKReTK-EZw
K-12 public education is the largest employer in our country, and teachers unions no doubt play a powerful role. What are your thoughts about unions? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94hk4RI6SgA
You often talk about student learning readiness being ignored and the need for individualized learning versus group learning, a longer school day and year, and an achievement versus time education system. Share with us about differing student learning readiness and the solutions you propose to address it. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VOQTZABhoNU
Years ago, you had a meeting of kindergarten teachers. How did that come about, and what took place at that meeting? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1_fgGSRho2U
In your book, Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education, you talk about brain development and early childhood education. Share with us more about these topics. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DlzBTQ-OiKg
In your book, Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education, you talk about the need for K-12 education to be transformed at the state level. Why the state? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DtsSEhS5wn4
In your book, Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education, you write about the need to transform three areas of K-12 education — teaching, leadership, and governance. Why those three areas? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NaqzTbyKAKI
A few years ago Don Nielsen traveled to Singapore to see how they train and select teachers. He tells us how Singapore differs from the United States. … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tFER7k0pm3Q
In your book, Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education, you outline a game plan for transforming K-12 education at the state level. What does that game plan include? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IM5Q-uNHjyk
In your book, Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education, you talk about the mission of the school being largely missing from the conversation. Can you expand upon that? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g5WQp6h5hOI
Right now, school choice is expanding and gaining traction in many states throughout our nation. What are your thoughts on school choice — both inside the public system and outside the system? … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=06pln3892MA
How would an entrepreneur reform education? In this newly revised and updated version of Every School (2019), Don Nielsen draws on his business career and twenty-five years as a school reformer, to offer innovative solutions to the educational challenges facing our country.
Donald Nielsen
Senior Fellow and Chairman, American Center for Transforming Education
Donald P. Nielsen is a Senior Fellow of Discovery Institute and Chairman of the Institute's program on public education reform. For nearly 30 years, he has devoted his life work to transforming public education. For two years, he traveled the country studying America's public education system and authored, Every School: One Citizen’s Guide to Transforming Education. Mr. Nielsen was awarded the Harvard Business School's 2004 Alumni Achievement Award. In 2009, he received the Leadership Award from the Foster School of Business at the University of Washington.