So Much Reform So Little Change

Simone Williams
06/21/15

1. The last paragraph on page 4 and the first paragraph on page 5 were passages that stood out

to me the most. Payne writes that the present volume is largely an analysis of failure and

particularly, the sociology of failure (p.5). The content in this passage is essential in

understanding the process of school reform. Not every attempt succeeds, but we can learn

from failures which are just as important. Payne highlights that we want to focus on what

has worked and the sense of urgency, but he cautions that the same process that reveals itself

is also what causes its results to be concealed when something new is implemented. We

cannot implement new policies and expect to succeed without looking at what didnt work

and learning from it.

2. Meetings are pointless if the faculty and staff are already defeated before they even enter the

door to discuss matters. Payne states in the first paragraph on page 17 that social scientists

believe that new members of a social structure often see and experience the negative

treatments and habits that settled members of the group have grown comfortable with.

Coupled with the experience of losing funding, good teachers, and good students that Payne

mentioned on page 24, the staff already has developed factions and particular notions about

how things will go. Ultimately, people do not want to change the culture of their school

because they have settled into the way things have been. They will engage in what Payne

called on page 30 as Happy Talk to avoid facing the problems and choosing a path that will

lead to successful reform. Change is not impossible, but it is not uneasy. People are often

not willing to do the right thing because it is hard.

3. The teacher to teacher relationship is essential to improving schools because they will be the

ones to support one another when it comes down to managing classrooms, lesson plans,
 So Much Reform So Little Change

talking with parents and getting things done with administration. Payne states on page 32

that teachers have conflict and competition. They dont think that they have time to work

together and trust. I agree with Payne when he mentions the importance of teachers knowing

and understanding what is going on in the community. Once the parents see that the teachers

are invested in their well-being and that of their childrens, they can begin to trust them.
4. Because of the community violence and lack of trust in all areas of control in the school, it

made for an environment that was difficult to operate in. On page 52 Payne discusses the

pressures administration put on a principle who in turn transfers these frustrations to teachers

who are already overwhelmed with responsibilities. The teachers do not feel like they have a

voice nor do they feel safe to discipline or from being hurt by the students.
5. On page 68 Payne said that sorting of children began as early as kindergarten. I am a product

of this environment now that I look back, and I came out on the better end. I saw kids start

off on the same level as me and as I got closer to graduating they all fell lower and lower

each year. Their attitudes towards school and one another did change. I do believe there is a

way to reach these students if we can get a better understanding of their past and where we

want them to go in their current situations.