Boosting Schools' Value Without Spending a Dime

Jay Mathews has an interesting discussion on getting value without spending money. You can see the full article here.

1. Replace elementary school homework with free reading.

2. Unleash charter schools.

3. Have teachers call or e-mail parents -- once a day would be fine -- with praise for their children.

4. Have parents call or e-mail teachers with praise.

5. Have every high school student read at least one nonfiction book before graduation.

6. Encourage teachers to call on every student in every class.

7. Furlough everybody -- including teachers, students and parents -- for an unpaid national reading holiday.

If you have cost-free ideas to improve schools, post them on Jay's blog at http://www.washingtonpost.com/class-struggle or e-mail him at: mathewsj@washpost.com.