One Puzzle Piece doesn't FIT for ALL

Bad schools. Bad teachers. Bad students. Really, the finger-pointing could go on forever -- but is this getting us anywhere? As mentioned in CJ's blog, http://cjhmls590.blogspot.com/2012/10/is-education-really-priority-response.html, the two presidential canidates have spent an unbelievable amount on finger-pointing in this presidential race and what has this accomplished. As Guggenheim honestly reflects in "The Making of Waiting for "Superman","You've found a great school for your kids--but is that enough? You've pulled your kids from the system and turned your back on the problem. Your kids will be okay, but what about other people's children?" In my opinion, this final question should be ringing in everyone's ears, especially those in a position to make policy changes. But, to take this idea further -- I don't think this question of other people's children should only be limited to education...

All across the country and around the world, the basic needs of children are not being met. If we use Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs, we realize EVERY CHILD WILL BE LEFT BEHIND if they do not have their basic needs fufilled. They cannot advance to the highest stage of self-actualization without proper nutrition, sleep, and feeling safe. In my opinion, maybe the question of the "Great Divergence" is really the area for concern.

Sure, a Benet Academy for all sounds ideal, but this is a suburban perspective. Would this sort of school work in the inner cities or in the rural areas...only people that live in those areas would know.  Just like standardized tests are criticized for being written by wealthy whites for wealthy whites; wouldn't putting a "Benet Academy" in place of every public school also be reinforcing the "white man's ideal". Before we go about assuming that we know what is best for everyone; let's first get a diverse group of people together to find out what the children's real needs are and not what we assume them to be. Only then, can we work towards a solution that is not a “ONE PUZZLE PIECE FOR ALL” -- our needs are much more diverse than that.