Jamie Vollmer is the author of Schools Cannot Do It Alone. His book tells of an extraordinary journey through the land of public education. His encounters with blueberries, bell curves, and smelly eighth graders lead him to two critical discoveries. First, we have a systems problem, not a people problem. We must change the system to get the graduates we need. Second, we cannot touch the system without touching the culture of the surrounding town; everything that goes on inside a school is tied to local attitudes, values, traditions, and beliefs.
Mr. Vollmer is coming to Livingston County for two presentations: Wednesday, August 31 at 7 p.m. at the Brighton Center for the Performing Arts and Thursday, September 1 at 1 p.m. at the Howell High School Auditorium. Both presentations are free to the public.
What do you think? Do schools have a systems problem, people problem, culture problem? Have you read the book? The book can be purchased through MASB's online bookstore.