Re: Can quality work for public ed?

["Lyle, Dan B." <DBL@cdrh.fda.gov>]

Myron crisply and astutely stated:

"Studies of the requirements for success in industry, at all levels,
indicate that people need to be able to work in groups, to learn on their
own, to speak, to listen, to manage their own time and other resources, to
make measurements and to improve systems.  None of these are on the
standardized tests.
Here in Florida, where I have been visiting for the last week, Governor Bush
has indicated his intention to take money away from the schools who are
performing poorly on these tests and give it to those who are performing
well. He intends also to give vouchers to the parents of children who attend
the schools ranked poorly."

Myron, I recall vividly your post about a year back when you mentioned
having met Clinton during his pre-Presidential years, been impressed, and
then saw him speak on Quality---only to drop it like a hot potato when Union
response was pointedly negative (please correct me if I'm mis-remembering).
After his election, we received "Re-inventing Government" which is heavy on
mandated outcomes and light on real Quality principles.  I've observed that
effort, being in a government Agency over that period of time, and seen
isolated pockets of improvement and general advancement in
understanding---but little change in the ground-level "business as usual."

My question for you: in your experience, are there any top politicians you
are aware of that have a solid understanding of Quality and how it applies
to most effectively improving organizations by empowering their people to
best serve customers?  (Whether in government agencies, industry, schools,
or whatever.)

Otherwise, it's pretty disheartening when our top leaders don't really know
what their grand pronouncements mean, nor really what they're doing at all
(massive tampering)!

Thanks for your expert perspective.

Dan.
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Dan Lyle, Ph.D.
FDA/CDRH
DBL@CDRH.FDA.GOV
301-443-4049
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