Edison's message rings true

Some readers may have seen the full-page ads that Edison Schools, a commercial enterprise, has been running in some publications regarding education. Edison, which was founded in 1992, contracts to school districts throughout the nation to run schools.

It is was both interesting and heartening to see the messages a company like Edison is using on its full-page ads, especially in the era of high-stakes testing mandated by the No Child Left Behind law.

Edison is clearly aware that quality education is expensive, no matter who provides it. Here is a sampling:

Headline: “Solve the Following Problem: $240,000 minus $80,000.”
Text: “The answer is the difference between a typical salary for the captain of a large commercial jet and a typical salary for the principal of a public school. We appreciate that airline captains are well paid because of their level of skill and responsibility — they do, after all, have passengers’ lives in their hands. But what about principals? Principals are responsible for the education — and ultimately, the future — of the students in their schools. Both pilots and principals have ‘souls on board.’

“We would never suggest that airline captains be paid less. But shouldn’t our best principals have the opportunity to earn comparable incomes, particularly if they create an environment in which all children can achieve their full potential?

“Something to think about.”

Or this one:

Headline: “Let the first-year resident handle that quadruple bypass.”
Text: “We would all be appalled if first-year medical residents were allowed to lead complex surgeries. Before they can solo, medical-school graduates are required to complete rigorous, multi-year training under the guidance of experienced professionals.

“In contrast, America sends freshly-minted teachers alone into some of our nation’s most challenging classrooms at the beginning of each school year. Left to fend for themselves, often against tremendous adversity, many of these teachers needlessly struggle or, worse yet, choose to leave the profession.

“Imagine the positive difference — for students and teachers — if we offered our new teachers an intensive residency, with plenty of guidance and support, before they went solo in the classroom.

“Something to think about.”

There are other ads, all interesting. After a decade and a half of running public schools, this looks like a private company that “gets” it.