I understand Mr. Gates' recently expressed concern about our high schools--I'm a teacher. However, he should take a peak from the inside out.

    It's true that our schools are not preparing teens for the future.  However, I'm not sure the reason is that our high schools are outdated models.  We can have all the lofty ideals in the world, and if the students arrive unwilling to learn, we must do social work and psychoanalysis before we can begin to teach them.
      I'm a teacher at an urban high school.  One of my triumphs this week is that my students are suddenly hooked in to reading the news.  We spent several weeks browsing through newspapers, discussing the various types of articles.  Kids looked blank, slept, asked to go to the counselor, and asked to use the internet while I attempted to teach the language arts unit.  After using my best teacher tricks, students are going home and reading the paper, listening to the news, and coming to school telling the continuing stories we've been following.  

     Often, when I assign internet research, I must patrol the perimeter to be sure they aren't jumping onto porn sites or downloading music, thereby clogging up my computer with viruses. I must also be sure no one hits anyone (especially me). I have to force kids to put away their cell phones and CD players.  Yes, they plug in the moment we turn our backs.  Then, I must monitor whether they smell like weed or have alcohol in their water bottles.  All this is in conjunction with teaching whatever content seems important.

      I think that education reform is a great idea.  Breaking our mega high schools into smaller neighborhood units would enable us to manage and get to know students more. One school system in our city is going to try Montessori on three elementary schools.  However, we can never forget that education and just having a plan for life starts at home. 

     If parents would take a proactive role as mine did 30 years ago, I wouldn't have to police, cajole, and motivate my students.  Parents should be talking to them from age five about dreams, goals, and ambitions.  All students can't grow up to be rap stars.  I really care about these kids, but there aren't enough hours in the school day to motivate, reach, and  and teach, also. I sure hope Mr. Gates and others dream up some answers for us quickly.  There aren't enough McDonalds and hair salons to employ all my students.