"American public education needs a complete restructuring in order to support the development of knowledgeable, critical thinkers of strong character and integrity, ready to assume their positions as productive participating citizens of a free society.

"To neglect a decision to change the system will only contribute to America’s losing its position as the leader of the free world. America has been number one in the development of innovations that have improved the quality of life throughout the world for the past hundred years.  Because of our deteriorating system of public education, other nations are assuming leadership roles in economies, innovations, education, skilled labor and productivity," stated Wright.

Wright referenced the Program for International Student Assessments, which showed U. S. students were outperformed in reading, math and science by other countries, Including China, South Korea, Germany and Finland.  Many commentators, as reported by the Dallas Morning News on January 18, said the results pointed to other countries' emphasis on academics and high pay for the teaching profession.  Wright also stated that research indicates the U.S. dropout rates is 30-40%, one of the highest in the world.

Recommendations for Restructuring:

• Research demonstrates that the most economical and effective way to improve academic achievement is to begin with 3 and 4-year olds, especially non-English speaking students and children from backgrounds of poverty.
• Early childhood education—full day for all non-English speakers and children of poverty.  Non-degreed teachers with strong child development training have proven to be very effective with 3 and 4-year-old children.  Research is available showing that students taught full-day by these teachers show greater academic progress (and at considerable less cost per student) than students taught half-day by degreed teachers.  Educational First Steps, a non-profit agency in Dallas, Texas, provides a replicable model of what can be done and how to do it.  They provide training for teachers and parents and age-appropriate academics for 4500 3 and 4-year-olds in 95 different pre-schools at a cost of approximately $500 per student.
• Teacher and administrator academic preparation must become more rigorous, and teacher employment more selective.  University requirements for elementary and middle school teacher candidates must include more courses in the content areas and fewer in methodology.
• A governance model must be developed which includes required qualifications for school board members along with term limits.
• Restructure elementary, middle and high schools to accommodate (a) flexible scheduling that is parent-friendly, (b) flexible curriculum to meet the needs of students as they achieve at different rates, and (c) longer school days and longer school years.
• Eliminate 12th grade from high school, using those funds for full-day schooling for 3 and 4-year-olds.  The 12th grade is the least productive and the most expensive.  Texas added the 12th Grade requirement in 1940 at the end of the depression, not for educational purposes but to solve an unemployment problem of young people on the streets with nothing to occupy them.
• Transfer high school vocational courses to the Community College, which can provide more comprehensive courses at much lower cost.  Using adjunct instructors at community colleges, the cost is approximately one-fifth the cost for the same instruction in public high schools.  The excessive cost for vocational courses in the high school is the result of (a) using full-time certified teachers, (b) necessary lab and shop equipment, and (c) the necessity of smaller classes for this type of instruction.  Contract with a Community College to teach vocational courses in the existing high school facilities for college credit.  Community colleges use adjunct instructors at a cost of approximately $2000-$3000 per semester course as opposed to a high school using a full-time certified teacher at a cost of approximately $40,000-$50,000 per year.
• Explore the amount of time, effort and expense of extracurricular activities in middle and high school relative to value produced and received.
• Determine proper compensation and benefits for all public school employees as compared to similar positions in the private sector.
• Require every school to develop and implement a parental involvement plan, i.e. PTAs, PTOs, Advisory Committees, mandated parent/guardian/teacher conference.
• Require every school district to undergo an external evaluation every five years to determine effectiveness of operation.  Criteria for the evaluation and the personnel conducting such an exercise would be approved by the Texas Education Agency.
• Intentionally teach core values of respect, responsibility, honesty, self-discipline and citizenship.

When asked what the local communities could do to improve education for the future of our children, Wright was quick to point out that cultures surpassing our public education foster a parental culture of high expectations.  The voice of the parents is needed: encouraging their children, talking to state and local legislators and ISD board members, demanding improvement that will ready their children for college and/or burgeoning career opportunities.

"Texas is still enrolling approximately one hundred thousand new students every year. At a cost of $9,000 per student per year, $900,000,000 of educational funds is used for new population alone. The State suggestions of reducing merit pay, enlarging class size, reducing retirement and medical benefits would barely pay for the increase in enrollment.

"By restructuring public education, Texas can bite the bullet and accomplish three major improvements: (1) improve academic achievement for all students, (2) reduce the dropout rate while increasing the graduation rate, and (3) reduce cost."

Prior to his appointment by President Ronald Reagan, Linus Wright served as General Superintendent of the Dallas Public Schools for 10 years and eight years as Superintendent for Administration and Chief Financial Officer of the Houston Public Schools.