Still I am glad that students got an opportunity to "grill" the mayor on what is being done to improve the quality of education received by students in Richmond and that the mayor left the event reportedly "impressed. His comment, though, to the Times-Dispatch about the event struck me as bizarre. Speaking of the students who attended the event, he told the paper, "They are so far ahead of typical kids. The questions they asked are the same ones asked by the adults."

Um, two things (1) why was he so surprised that students would ask the same questions adults do? He didn't think students could diagnose what's going on (and not going on) in their own schools even though they spend eight hours a day there? What he thought they were going to ask for a longer lunch break and Coke in the drinking fountains?! Mayor Wilder is not giving these students nearly enough credit with that back-handed compliment (2) building on the last point: I think he's giving way too much credit to this particular group of students. I know his limited interaction with students in that type of environment might lead him to such a conclusion but this group really isn't "so far ahead" of the average student (not that they shouldn't be applauded for showing up to this event and expressing their thoughts). Believe it or not, the average student is capable of thinking critically about their own school and, when given the (once annual(!?)) opportunity to interact with policy makers, capable of asking meaningful and trenchant questions.

Now for a quick policy suggestion:
Since Mayor Wilder was so impressed by this group of students, I think he should follow the Virginia State Board of Education's lead and bring a proposal to the Richmond city council to create a student advisory panel to the local board of education. Or, why not create an actual position on the local school board for a student to serve in an advisory position. Better yet, why not do BOTH! Think about it.....