Nov 14, 2008 — This week we're asking the country's most compelling thinkers for their recommendations for president-elect Barack Obama. Our series, "A Fresh Start," continues today with a provocative take on kindergarten through 12th grade education. Deborah Meier is widely considered one of America's foremost education experts. She's started highly innovative and successful schools in New York City and Boston. She lives south of Albany now. Meier believes the rigid standards and tests of "No Child Left Behind" have left teachers powerless in schools. She says the federal program has to be replaced with a "Marshall plan" for the development of a large, well-educated teaching force. Meier told David Sommerstein the world of education has to step back and ask fundamental questions about the relevance of school to childrens' lives.