In the late 1970s and 1980s a huge amount of highly productive research data were generated on effective teaching (in terms of student achievement) and on what makes schools highly effective. In the 1980s and early 1990s, that information was used to design and implement training and assistance programs, interventions, and local and state policies which did result in very significant gains in student achievement in many schools and school districts. I know that to be the case because I was involved in those actions and saw the results.

Then, in the early to mid 1990s, the Republican and Grover Norquist-backed programs of tax slashing to benefit the wealthy people and corporations gained momentum, and merged with the Gingrich push to reduce the power and programs of government at all levels. That resulted in the takeover of most state legislatures in the 1990s. That takeover, in turn, resulted in a slashing of funds for public education, for teacher and administrator training and assistance programs seeking better teaching and learning, and the weakening of demands on local school districts, along with pushing private charter schools with public money taken out of local school district funds.

As a consequence, the momentum for school improvement is gone, the Republican politicians are attacking public schools for not being more effective, at the same time that they are robbing schools of the programs and resources they need to improve. That is sheer lunacy, resulting in a weakening of our schools, student learning, and of our overall culture. It is downright unpatriotic and immoral.