I want to start by asking what improvements you would like to see made in our education system? (K-12 and higher)  Please be detail orientated, give examples and data if possible.  I’ll start by posting some topics of interest to jump from. 

Should creationism have equal time in schools as evolution since they are both theories? 

Should teachers earn based on performance, i.e. merit pay?  How would you set up the system? 

Are the new state requirements (Michigan) for high school graduation good or bad? Explain.  (If you are unaware, the state is upping the required courses considerably.)

Should teachers be required to enroll in graduate level courses after they start teaching or should they just be rewarded if they choose to?

A while back Jennifer Granholm (Michigan Governor – Dem) spoke about the idea of creating smaller high schools.  What is the ideal size of a student body for a high school and why?   

Should colleges require a full year of student teaching or just a semester?      

From my experience as a public school teacher here are my recommendations to improve the nation’s education system. 

1. Incorporate merit pay for districts or schools. Anything smaller will turn teachers against each other. Bonuses should be paid evenly based on improvement within districts or schools from the state. The system needs to be based both on grade scores and public opinion. Treat teachers a bit like elected officials for their bonuses.   

2. Pay all staff members for their after school time. Now only certain members get paid for after hour jobs, including coaches and band teachers. Tutors, club sponsors, and trainers should also be paid for their time.

3. Allow administrators more freedom in evaluation of teachers. The termination rate for public school teachers is under one percent. Although turn over for schools in normally bad the threat of losing your job is almost non existent. 

4. Allow student’s choice in education tracks. Allow them to earn a base level diploma and then allow them to choose to test out at graduation for additional endorsements like, engineering arts, English arts, fine arts, fitness, etc.

5. Stop forcing teachers to enroll in continuing education program but instead monetarily reward the ones who take the initiative to earn post bachelor degrees and receive extra training.       

6. Build the school day around students’ natural sleep schedules. Start the school day later and let them out earlier. Extend the school year length and shorten the day. Many students are overwhelmed during the school year and underwhelmed in the summer. The day is too long now for most students to keep focused, especially when physical education is removed.