Here are some sound, sensible wishes for students by Nancy Bailey.
101 of them. Each one five words or less.
Imagine a world where children went to school eagerly, happily, ready to learn.
Start with this:
Provide children plenty of recess.
Pay attention to child development.
Cherish play for children.
Encourage teens to socialize.
Lower class sizes.
Bring back the arts.
Provide all students art instruction.
Give students credentialed art teachers.
Let children dance.
Sing-along with students.
Teach students to play instruments.
Display student art in schools.
Bring back school plays.
Showcase student writing.
End high-stakes testing.
Teach better civics.
Bring back Home Economics.
Help teens balance a checkbook.
Teach students self-care.
Provide school nurses.
Help students learn money management.
Provide 12th grade career information.
Develop good career-technical education.
Give students with disabilities services.
Make IEPs relevant and personal.
Address dyslexia.
Show students how to adapt.
Help students find alternatives.
Find student strengths.
Provide teachers special education preparation.
Value parents in educational decisions.
Quit pushing school choice.
Stop throwing money at charters.
That’s only 1/3 of Nancy’s wishes.
Read the rest and add your own.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Mine:
Want a Secretary of Education who actually knows about education rather than is a puppet (a sell out for $$$$$ and perks).
Get rid of politicians who care not a wit about public schools and public school teachers, but look at both as an endless stream of money for the few who fund political campaigns and even write the twisted speeches and scripts spouted.
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Some great ideas here (and on the main page of the article). I would like to add, increase foreign language instruction, both at the elementary and secondary levels. And, I would love to see Latin brought back to secondary schools. Latin is the “anchor” of English, and assists in building (English) writing skills.
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Great list. Although it’s implied in many on the list (or I may have missed it), I’d add a footnote to #31:
Value teachers in educational decisions.
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It’s an excellent list, and I was especially happy to see the call for the return of home economics.
My only quibble is that I’d call for the return of shop classes for all students – for developing greater hand-eye coordination, and for developing an appreciation for the hard work and skill that goes into working with your hands – and not just strengthening vocational ed, important as that is.
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Agree. My favorite classes in middle school and high school were all lab/workshop based. Wood shop, metal shop, auto mechanics, drafting, chemistry.
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Agree with Michael F, that is.
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Wow! Sounds so much like Supt. Michael Hayes- Patchogue-Medford’s objectives!
My grandchildren love going to school in his district.
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Wonderful list!
Although, many of these (not all) could be summarized by “Pay attention to child development.” That seems to have been lost at all educational levels.
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Bring back recess.
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