This is a tough question because there are many variables, and I don't think there is one clear (or even a handful) of solutions to the education problem.

I don't agree that schools should be treated like a business.  I have gone into "D" rated schools, and seen good teachers putting everything into their lessons and the students are learning.  I've been in "A" rated schools where the classroom teacher is sitting behind their desk checking email and not paying attention to his/her students.  

By firing everyone at a school, does get everyone's attention.  And I'm hoping that the good teachers are able to find positions in other local schools.  My question in this case is what other changes are they making at this local school.  What I mean is are they planning to shut down the school all together and bus the students to neighboring schools in good standing or are they just going to replace the staff?  Other questions I have are where is the community's responsibility - are parents going to help and support this "new" staff or school?  I hope staff is not being made the scapegoat.

I agree that education is in trouble and a bigger conversation needs to take place among educators.  We need to remember that schools have different needs based on their students' needs.  I hope this starts some open and honest discussions about education's future.

Public education has so many fundamental problems - it's impossible to say one thing is better than another. I work in a district with over 150 public schools. Drastic cuts are being made this year, and there are obviously going to be bad repercussions of these budget cuts.

After teaching in these schools, understanding decisions made by teachers, schools, principals, districts, etc., I feel as though I can discuss the issue pretty well.

I think a major problem is the fact that so many policy makers and district personnel are so far removed from the classroom that their decisions sound good in theory, but actually are not reasonable if applied as "blanket" solutions.

For example, yes there are amazing teachers in failing schools -- but there are also horrible slackers in there as well. But making all teachers in low performing schools adhere to the ridged, time consuming and stressful tasks that states/districts require, it in turn stifles and stresses the teachers who were doing a good job all along. Causing them not to go the extra mile any more because the call of duty is so off the charts incredible.

To answer your question more directly, yes I think it's a viable solution to invest money into low performing schools. HOWEVER, with this money needs to be LOGICAL, planned and concrete steps. Talented, hardworking and sensible people with a grasp of the education system need to be employed to carry this out. And again, in order to get this type of person in this type of position that requires immense time and energy, a decent salary needs to be provided. There need to be individual reviews of individual teachers, staff, principals - professional development that is sensible and usable and thoughtful and SO much more.

I also think that replacing management, aka principals, etc., is a great idea. Staff performs because of their leader. If you have a tyrant - not going to work. You need a special type of person that's not only extremely knowledgeable and committed to the cause, but who is also caring and a good, positive and motivating leader. These people are hard to come by. And, with ridiculous amounts of bureaucratic nonsense that goes on, pretty impossible to achieve in some places.

Yes extreme measures need to be taken. Look at Wake County in North Carolina -- they structure their schools based not on area but on socioeconomic status. Our schools are SO segregated that it's perpetuating poverty and bad education. Unfortunately, board members were recently elected into Wake County schools and are trying to dissemble this amazing program - in Wake County, there aren't any "poor" schools.

Also, because of this new package deal or whatever, Teach for America -- this AMAZING program aimed at closing the achievement gap is loosing $50 million in funding - basically a detrimental turn of events for the organization that commits so much and has really substantial long-term investment in education. Please research this and commit some time to writing to congress people.

Okay ... that's all -- feel free to respond :)

D