The education reform conversation is generally manifested as a debate between the steely resolve of Michelle Rhee and the steadfast defense line of the American Federation of Teachers.
As of late, however, the schools discussion is making its way into the realm of public discourse.
The cover of this week's Time Magazine, for its annual national service issue,features a school bus and poses a deceptively simple goal, defining "What Makes a School Great."
Among the issue's education-related stories are a piece that explores what it takes to build strong teachers, and a profile on the upcoming documentary Waiting for "Superman," which chronicles the experiences of five children whose futures depend on a charter school lottery.
Richard Stengel, managing editor of Time Magazine, appeared on MSNBC this week to discuss what brought the topic of education to the cover of Time. Speaking to the hosts of Morning Joe, he addressed key reform points that are perplexing parents and administrators alike.

“Great teachers are priceless, but bad teachers are also. And one of the things that we’ve learned about all education policy in this new innovative time that we’re living in—with Arne Duncan embracing new policies and Race to the Top—is that teachers really matter. And that it isn’t so easy to make great teachers.”