I teach in our public schools but I am not interested in the topics you list.

I want to eliminate multiple choice testing.  Establish grading criteria using the free response of AP exams as an example.  Pose good questions and read the answers.

I want more time spent writing and solving problems and less time in creative play where nothing is learned.  Children who do not read at grade level listen to stories read to them by a computer and most learn nothing but how to avoid reading.

i want teachers aides who are fully qualified.   I do not want aides who alter what is presented in textbooks because the material differs from their misconceptions.

i want accurate textbooks.  Open the review process to the public.  I would just as soon wite critiques that book publishers ignore as write responses that Enlgihs learners ignore (or dispute)

*etc.whoops.

As I've been attending a school with a uniform policy, I'd say that students should be able to wear what they want, but not whatever they want.

They say that the uniforms are purely for safety (avoiding gang colors, making sure that just anyone can't walk into the school, ect.) and I appreciate that to some extent, but whenever this is brought up, it seems to me like we are being a little too scared of everything. Or we just have terrible security guards. If it isn't such a concern for other schools in the area (and many of them are worse than the one I attend), I don't understand why it is for us.

Also, being someone who isn't all that comfortable with myself, unlike what many other people seem to think, wearing the same thing as everyone else causes more anxiety for me than what wearing "normal" clothes would do. Looking around and seeing that certain people look better in the uniform than you, or others, stings a bit. I enjoy wearing a hoodie with my favorite artist or "internet celebrity" because it brings me comfort in such a stressful place and not many people seem to understand this.. So, I'm not saying we should be allowed to show up wearing nothing at all, but maybe keeping at least khaki pants and then allowing people to wear the shirts they want (as long as they fit) doesn't seem like that bad of an idea.

Thanks Istrate,

I agree with you on almost everything, except studying art. I think it is very important for their creativity which is necessary in all types of jobs. It is important for children to express themselves and the arts encourage this skills.

1."Boys and girls both learn better in single-sex school." - While this might be true, not having daily interactions with the opposite sex might be a negative aspect later in life.

2. "Schools should let children wear whatever they want at school" - decency must be imposed. While I don't agree with compulsory school uniforms, I can't say that students should be able to wear everything.

3. "Schools don´t teach children the important things they need to know to be an adult." - that's true but I don't think it's their job to do that, they must teach you how to get a job and earn an income.

4. "School summer holidays should be shorter." - I don't think this should be the case. but it really depends on where you're living. Studying when the temperature is close to 38 C is not easy.

5. "Children spend too much time at school on maths and IT, and not enough on things like music, art, and drama." - I strongly disagree with this one. In a world that's becoming more and more dependent on technology we still have very few people who understand how it works, the vast majority only knows how to use it. And the importance of technology in our everyday life will increase so if anything else we should invest more in math and IT. 

6. "Private schools are usually better than state school." - it depends. In my country state schools are better while private schools only exist to extract large amounts of money from those who want to have a diploma.