Dear Readers

Hudi Podolsky
CES National
Executive Director

In 1984, Ted Sizer introduced us to Horace Smith, the protagonist of
Horace's Compromise, the teacher who found himself- inevitably, innocently- shortchanging his students because of the way his typical American schoolwas structured. Since that time, the Coalition of Essential Schools has worked to change the nature of schooling in this country. Our journal, Horace, has articulated our vision of schools where intellectual excitement animates every child's face, where teachers work together to get better at their craft, and where all children flourish, regardless of their gender, race, or class- along with practical help for getting there.

As longtime readers will see, Horace has a new look and a new editor. I am delighted to welcome Jill Davidson to this position and confident that readers will continue to find Horace to be an essential resource. Our new format creates room for pieces by educators from our network, and we invite you to let us know how you would like to contribute your voice to Horace.

Each year, in our four issues, we will focus on a specific topic in each of the key areas of school reform: school design, classroom practice,
leadership, and community connections. As Kathleen Cushman noted in her final issue as editor of Horace last spring- and despite all of the challenges we face- Horace Smith would be heartened by the progress we've made since 1984. Horace will help us share what we in the CES network know about making schools places where teachers do not have to compromise- and where kids thrive.

Jill Davidson
Horace Editor

When I worked in schools, I devoured Horace and its immediate examples of life-changing work in CES schools. Along with many, I am grateful both to the passionate people unshakably focused on making schools better and to Kathleen Cushman for relaying their stories. It is an honor to carry on this work. Thanks to all of the school staff and students who generously helped; thanks also both to the CES National staff and the talented people at lovejoy(creative)- they brilliantly transformed the look of Horace while preserving its spirit. Finally, I am grateful to all of the contributors to this issue; it truly was a collaborative effort.

After researching architecture's effect on the power of small learning communities, I've lost my taste for the word "classroom." We need transcendent language to evoke new images for students' work environments, and we want to hear more about physically transformed schools. We will continue this conversation in CES's discussion groups (at our web site, www.essentialschools.org), and you can email me at jdavidson@essentialschools.org. In the next issue of Horace, devoted to classroom practice, we will focus on how teachers are maintaining their commitment to alternative assessments in the current accountability-driven policy environment. I want your stories - please be in touch!