David Brooks' "Politics in the age of distrust"

What does David Brooks' column, "Politics in the Age of Distrust," have to do with special education? Everything. I am struck by how much it relates to the issues we have in special education.

(Politics in the age of distrust).

So, let's ask, why do schools and parents have to go through endless meetings, procedures, paperwork, written plans, lawsuits, threats of lawsuits, legal and bureaucratic requirements, due process, documentation ad infinitum in special education? Because, at bottom, the law creates lack of trust between parents and schools. Parents have to fight schools to get services. Etc. Etc. Etc. Most of us know the system is broken--distrust abounds.

But, saddest of all, what do any of these processes and procedures and requirements have to do with improving teaching and learning? Not much, if anything.

The age of distrust of government, including schools, takes us down the wrong path. It is dysfunctional for students, teachers, and parents.

See my book Fixing Special Education--12 Steps to Transform a Broken System. My hope is that it will help get us back on the right path--the mission of educating all children.