(View entire post here)

A few months ago, National Public Radio was running a series called "Letters to the President," in which various experts weighed in with advice for President Obama on pressing topics: health care, national security, the economy, the environment. Then came the one that was on education.

There were three people interviewed. A person from a conservative think tank led off with a call for standing tough on NLCB-style accountability and for alternatives to the public education system like charter schools and vouchers. She also took a swipe at teachers' unions.  Then one of Obama's education advisors said the president needs to avoid the stale skirmishes - for example, over NCLB - and put forth a bold initiative, like merit pay for teachers. The third speaker was from another advocacy group and spoke to the need to change our beliefs that poor kids can't achieve in school.

Regardless of the merits of what each person said, I couldn't help but notice that all three were from the policy world. There were no teachers or principals interviewed for this "Letter to the President." There were no parents interviewed (though of course the three speakers might have kids in school, but they didn't speak in that capacity). There were no youth workers, no one from social services. There were no educational researchers. And there were no artists or writers or scientists or diplomats. And there were no students.