On the eve of the DNC, dozens of the nation’s top education reformers got together to take part in “Ed Challenge for Change,” an event sponsored by Democrats for Education Reform and 40 other groups interested in reforming public education.
In front of an enthusiastic audience of about 500 delegates and others, Learning Matters President John Merrow moderated a panel with Mayors Adrian Fenty and Cory Booker of DC and Newark, respectively; NYC Schools Chancellor Joel Klein; former LA Superintendent Roy Romer, and the President of the Colorado Senate. It was lively, to put it mildly. (Some have even called it inspirational!)
After listening to panelists bemoan the obstacles to change, he asked them to name names. “Exactly who is standing in the way?” “Who benefits from mediocre schools?” That led to some union-bashing, but finally the list expanded to include school boards and other special interests.
Panelists also shared their education advice for the next President. And after the panel, John went around, tape recorder in hand, and asked that same question of a dozen or so thoughtful men and women. We’ll be doing that at the Republican convention as well, and the answers will form the basis for this new series of podcasts.
August 29, 2008 at 8:46 pm
Isn’t it sad that this was the focus of the education issue in Denver. what a skewed panel. Why didn’t you insist on a more rounded view?
Even in your note to which I’m responding the reference to teachers and school boards lumps them in with “special interests”. I suppose parents are too. It’s like excluding soldiers from a panel on war as a “special interest” group!
Aren’t Mayor’s a special interest? And highly paid chancellors appointed by Mayors? And charter “owners” and managers”?
We once had 200,000 school boards, as part of the ideal of school’s as belonging to the public nd responsive to them. We now have less than 15,000 and with very restricted powers and some large systems (like NYC) have no lay boards at all, just the Mayor and his hirees. Schools board are less and less “close” to their schools. We “own” our schools more or less the way we do our post offices–which gives the Right far game for calling them a public monopoly rather than public schools.
he Mayor declares, to a public that largely has no contact with its public schools, that they are getting better and better. The data suggest he’s just plain “lying”. But he is – by your language – not an “special interest” that needs to be monitored?
The MOST critical purpose of public education is education IN democracy; hardly possible when they cease to be, themselves, democratic communities rther than state or federal “bodies.”
Enough, John!
From a long time admirer,
Deborah Meier