President Obama, I have bad news for you. You will not be able to do that. Here is who will stop you:
1. The testing industry does not want change.
2. The teacher's unions do not want change.
3. The textbook publishers do not want change.
4. University professors do not want change.
What they all want, and they are very powerful, is continue to make money and have lives unencumbered by notions that we are teaching the wrong stuff in the wrong way. It is only the students who want and need change. They need meaningful, enjoyable, experiences that prepare them for employment. The school system has never been about employment. They will not get the change they need because those in charge of the system would have to give up on what they now do and do something completely different. Really- how often does that happen?