There are so many good ideas out there and many have some impact. The truth is no individual reform will work in a vaccuum. Our current educational system had its start in Europe (England) and was based on using math ability to sort out students and track them into appropriate careers. Of course the aristrocracy, just like today, did not have to allow their children to participate. So we inherited a system designed to sort out students and due to the ideals that America was founded on we have tried to force it to allow every student to succeed. Many advocates of standardized testing and critics of the public school system seem to support the idea that any peg will fit into any hole if the hammer is big enough. Our curriculum is often based on what it takes to succeed in a liberal arts baccalaureate program and subjects are organized alphabetically (Biology, Chemistry, Physics) even though that does not make good sense.

Educators and the American academic system as a whole are not examples of the world's best change agents, however, it is encouraging to learn about projects like this where the entire framework of education is reworked rather than just trying to put new tack on a dead horse.

This video was applicable to my current situation I teach at urban Nashville high school where we are faced with the same challenges as this high school in Oakland. Many of the methods that are in place are currently in the works in my district.

I also wanted to add that if your students don't see that you are passionate about them how can you expect them to take a real interest in themselves.

It was so amazing to stumble upon this video. I started my teaching career at Calvin Simmons in 1997. It was absolutely crazy. Overcrowded and violent and a struggle to teach. I had to spend my paycheck buying materials because the district/school had nothing to give me. Just hustling to get from one day to the next. I am happy that the neighborhood has a different school now. A small school. Keep up the great work!

I know a lot about this problem, because my mother is a teacher and she often claim about school's management. I also read a lot about this problem in differet countries . And I found out that the situation in some European countries is really awful. I think, to improve the situation, that countries should provide the good work of psychologists.