This week – a big picture perspective on education.

We vilify teachers and argue about minor issues, but we’re not paying attention to the global environment, where the real challenges are. Terry Mazany, CEO of the Chicago Community Trust – and former interim CPS CEO – talks about his recent visit to China, where he witnessed the commitment its leaders are making to education, bolstered with a 9% annual GDP growth rate.

Only 17% of CPS students exceed state standards, he says, and only those students stand a chance of being able to succeed in college and compete in the global marketplace.

He has some harsh words for national education policy, too. “No Child Left Behind, with its emphasis on standardized test scores, that’s where the wheels came off for us,” he says.

Kate Grossman, our other panelist, is Deputy Editorial Page Editor at the Sun-Times, and was an education reporter for many years. “You can’t pretend adding another 90 minutes without adding resources is gonna be much different than it is now,” she says of the CPS’s drive to extend the school day.

The panel also discusses the recent Consortium study of CPS academic achievement, which reveals little improvement over the past 20 years.