Exposing the Reality Gap: Public Expectations and Boston Public

Although criticized by many, the Boston Public (BP) television show raises important issues about the realities of high school life. At a time when educational policy makers see a need to improve student test scores, this show suggests that other issues are more important in the lives of modern high school students, teachers, and administrators. BP does a service to all who care about the education of our youth by exposing this reality gap - the gap between focusing on accountability for student test scores when those who inhabit today's high schools are increasingly embroiled in youth issues that have been ignored by families and communities. The authors discuss how three of the show's themes coincide with the realities of modern high school life: (1) a power shift has occurred in high schools, (2) today's youth share different sexual norms from those of a generation ago, and (3) modern youth alienation is intensified by modern society. The significance of these realities are contrasted with the current emphasis on improving student test scores.