Theodore Sizer's Mandate To Mend `Mindless' Schools

It's no secret that America's schools are in dire shape--high dropout rates and a long-term decline in test scores prove that. But while most academics merely debate reform, Theodore R. Sizer has done something about it. Since 1984, the Brown University professor has been recruiting secondary schools to join the Coalition of Essential Schools, his own grass-roots reform movement.

Limited by scarce funding, the coalition has remained small, with 150 public- and private-school members plus 550 schools ready to join. Nonetheless, Sizer has catapulted to the forefront of the U.S. school-reform debate: In mid-December, philanthropist Walter H. Annenberg gave $50 million to Sizer's new National Institute for School Reform. The gift was part of Annenberg's $500 million pledge to fund school improvement.