Column of the Day: Taking Obama to School

Unfortunately, the economy, the war in Iraq, and a few other things are higher on President-elect Obama's list than education. But if we want to compete in this global economy (even as it tanks), we must invest in human capital. And the best place to do it is in our public schools. Nicholas Kristof examines the issue today, and mentions these possible improvements:

A study by the Hamilton Project, a public policy group at the Brookings Institution, outlines several steps to boost weak schools: end rigid requirements for teacher certification that impede hiring, make tenure more difficult to get so that ineffective teachers can be weeded out after three years on the job and award hefty bonuses to good teachers willing to teach in low-income areas. If we want outstanding, inspiring teachers in difficult classrooms, we’re going to have to pay much more — and it would be a bargain. 

In Washington D.C., tenure is also an issue. School leaders there want to get rid of tenure and pay teachers $40,000 more per year. Teacher unions won't like that, but those of us who want to go the extra mile wouldn't mind the raise.