Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
A couple of weeks ago, reports surfaced that Stanford ed school professor Linda Darling Hammond was one of Barack Obama's informal education advisers. (All the candidates seem to have an advisory committee along with their fulltime campaign staff working on the issues.)
This made hedge fund manager Whitney Tilson really angry. Tilson had raised a lot of money for Obama in the hopes that Obama would push more reform-minded education ideas (charter schools, TFA, etc.). Darling Hammond was an early critic of TFA and is more focused on reforming the existing system than on changing it.
A week later, Tilson remains upset about Obama's appointment of Linda Darling-Hammond as an education adviser, though it's slowly sinking in that Obama is probably doing what he needs to do to win the primary (More comments on Linda Darling-Hammond and Obama). YOu may think otherwise, but I think Tilson's reaction is unwise and exaggerated. But at least he's slightly more focused on Obama's decision rather than publicly slamming someone professionally than he was last week.
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Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 2:48 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Alexander, your bias is showing.
You characterize charter schools and Teach for America as "more reform-minded ideas." But how have they worked? In what way are they "more reform-minded ideas?"
You imply that Linda Darling-Hammond is "against reform" because she just wants to fix the existing system. Well, so does 72% of the public, according to this year's polling (see more on PURE Thoughts,
http://pureparents.org/index.php?blog/show/Throwaway_schools.)
You characterize charter schools and Teach for America as "more reform-minded ideas." But how have they worked? In what way are they "more reform-minded ideas?"
You imply that Linda Darling-Hammond is "against reform" because she just wants to fix the existing system. Well, so does 72% of the public, according to this year's polling (see more on PURE Thoughts,
http://pureparents.org/index.php?blog/show/Throwaway_schools.)
Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 3:50 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Charter schools have flourished in Ohio and Florida over the past decade, with legislators backing the choice programs with political and financial support. But crackdowns, both legal and administrative, could be on the horizon.
In Ohio, where more than half of the 328 charter schools received below average or failing grades on the state’s report card, Attorney General Marc Dunn is suing to close three schools and investigating dozens of others.
"Perhaps somewhere, charter schools have been implemented in a defensible manner, where they have provided quality," Gov. Ted Strickland told the New York Times. "But the way they've been implemented in Ohio has been shameful. I think charter schools have been harmful, very harmful, to Ohio students."
In Florida, local school boards are taking action against the state over an agency created to oversee charters. Several, including Miami-Dade County, have filed lawsuits to shut down the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, which was created in 2006 and has the power to open and close charter schools.
Prior to 2006, locally elected school boards had the exclusive authority to establish charters.
"It is the worst of all cases," Miami-Dade board member Ana Rivas Logan told the Miami Herald. "Although we are not responsible, we are still liable. If a child is hurt in any of those schools, if the education is not appropriate, we are still liable."
January 2008 Upfront
In Ohio, where more than half of the 328 charter schools received below average or failing grades on the state’s report card, Attorney General Marc Dunn is suing to close three schools and investigating dozens of others.
"Perhaps somewhere, charter schools have been implemented in a defensible manner, where they have provided quality," Gov. Ted Strickland told the New York Times. "But the way they've been implemented in Ohio has been shameful. I think charter schools have been harmful, very harmful, to Ohio students."
In Florida, local school boards are taking action against the state over an agency created to oversee charters. Several, including Miami-Dade County, have filed lawsuits to shut down the Florida Schools of Excellence Commission, which was created in 2006 and has the power to open and close charter schools.
Prior to 2006, locally elected school boards had the exclusive authority to establish charters.
"It is the worst of all cases," Miami-Dade board member Ana Rivas Logan told the Miami Herald. "Although we are not responsible, we are still liable. If a child is hurt in any of those schools, if the education is not appropriate, we are still liable."
January 2008 Upfront
Sat Dec 22, 2007 at 7:02 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
i should have written it "reform-minded" but, just so you know, i'm pretty neutral on charters -- not necessarily for or against them, which makes both sides suspicious.
about TFA, i've been pretty critical. as you can read here in an october huffington post article.
about TFA, i've been pretty critical. as you can read here in an october huffington post article.
Sun Dec 23, 2007 at 4:46 AM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Happy Holidays and Merry Christmas to all.
I was becoming discouraged about the possibility of a decent education platform from Barack Obama, but now there is some reason to hope he'll at least pay attention to the real problems in American public education and not simply repeat corporate "school reform" talking points.
Another bit of good news this morning: The New York Times is reporting that with the Democratic Party presidential candidates drifting towards all-out opposition to NCLB, there is hope on that front, too. George Miller will just have to continue spouting sour grapes while collecting all those campaign contributions from the testing companies. NCLB's death will be one of the best New Year's wishes anyone who cares about democratic public schools could get.
One last bit of good news. I'm going to sign off here until next year. With family and friends swarming around to celebrate the holidays, it would be unfair to y'all to blog half-heartedly here. See you in 2008.
I was becoming discouraged about the possibility of a decent education platform from Barack Obama, but now there is some reason to hope he'll at least pay attention to the real problems in American public education and not simply repeat corporate "school reform" talking points.
Another bit of good news this morning: The New York Times is reporting that with the Democratic Party presidential candidates drifting towards all-out opposition to NCLB, there is hope on that front, too. George Miller will just have to continue spouting sour grapes while collecting all those campaign contributions from the testing companies. NCLB's death will be one of the best New Year's wishes anyone who cares about democratic public schools could get.
One last bit of good news. I'm going to sign off here until next year. With family and friends swarming around to celebrate the holidays, it would be unfair to y'all to blog half-heartedly here. See you in 2008.
Sun Dec 23, 2007 at 5:52 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
To all my blog buddies have a Merry Christmas
Tue Dec 25, 2007 at 12:15 AM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Yeah. Merry Christmas. Hope you have little ones waiting to see what Santa did on the late shift. If not, our best...
Tue Dec 25, 2007 at 12:25 AM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
George don't hurt Santa.
I heard he does have a union card!!
.........and to all a good-night!
HiHo
I heard he does have a union card!!
.........and to all a good-night!
HiHo
Tue Dec 25, 2007 at 4:07 AM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
George, just curious....do you see any good in NCLB? Did anything productive happen from it? What about the fact it forced schools to finally address the populations they often ignored? Or do you think it is just completely, totally, 100% flawed?
Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 4:28 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Sorry, John. We checked it at the fireplace door. He's a member of the ElvesandToymakers Local 1, chartered in 1750. When Sam came down Christmas Day, Santa thanked him for leaving union cookies for the third shift reindeer and Claus.
Sat Dec 29, 2007 at 5:57 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
For those of you new to Chicago. It is suggested you not look out your windows around midnight New Years or be outside.
Just a friendly reminder for all our yuppie charter friends buying condos in HOT areas!
Happy New Year!
HiHo
PS I like sitting on the floor out of bullet range!
Just a friendly reminder for all our yuppie charter friends buying condos in HOT areas!
Happy New Year!
HiHo
PS I like sitting on the floor out of bullet range!
Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 9:41 AM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Kugler--your sense of humor sucks. Stick to teaching, hopefully you're better at that.
Sun Dec 30, 2007 at 10:54 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Hey, Steve--Kugler's not kidding. I once dodged bullets in Uptown on New Year's Eve trying to make it to a friend's apartment from a party too close to midnight. These days Uptown is probably safer, but gunshots to welcome the New Year are a proud Chicago tradition.
My only quibble with Kugler is, shouldn't iyour sign-off be HoHo this time of year?
Happy New Year to Charlie, George and everyone in between. ;-)
My only quibble with Kugler is, shouldn't iyour sign-off be HoHo this time of year?
Happy New Year to Charlie, George and everyone in between. ;-)
Tue Jan 1, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
So does that make you one of Kugler's "yuppie charter friends buying condos in HOT areas"? Dorks.
Tue Jan 1, 2008 at 1:01 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Laughing out loud.
Happy New Year, y'all...
Uptown.
Downtown.
South Side.
North Side.
New Year's traditions in Chicago survive Renaissance 2010 and the likes of Eden Martin and his clones like Arne Duncan.
Last night, my eldest son and a friend were leaving for their various New Year's Eve fests. I recommended they not be on the streets between about 11:30 and 1:00. Why? I wound up telling a story about having to bring a sick friend home on New Year's Eve back when I was living on the South Side (57th and Drexel), just at midnight.
RaTaTaTaTat. PowPowPow. RaTaTaTaTat. PowPowPow.
Then: BOOOOOMMMM!
Even walking against buildings was an experience, not one to be repeated. Within two blocks of that spot, someone had a cannon of some kind -- more than a shotgun. KA BOOOMMM! KAAA BOOOOOOMMM! for five minutes.
Chicago's definitely not ready for gun control, despite Rev. Pfleger and Richie Daley.
So, Happy New Year.
Happy New Year, y'all...
Uptown.
Downtown.
South Side.
North Side.
New Year's traditions in Chicago survive Renaissance 2010 and the likes of Eden Martin and his clones like Arne Duncan.
Last night, my eldest son and a friend were leaving for their various New Year's Eve fests. I recommended they not be on the streets between about 11:30 and 1:00. Why? I wound up telling a story about having to bring a sick friend home on New Year's Eve back when I was living on the South Side (57th and Drexel), just at midnight.
RaTaTaTaTat. PowPowPow. RaTaTaTaTat. PowPowPow.
Then: BOOOOOMMMM!
Even walking against buildings was an experience, not one to be repeated. Within two blocks of that spot, someone had a cannon of some kind -- more than a shotgun. KA BOOOMMM! KAAA BOOOOOOMMM! for five minutes.
Chicago's definitely not ready for gun control, despite Rev. Pfleger and Richie Daley.
So, Happy New Year.
Tue Jan 1, 2008 at 1:33 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Geroge
Don’t spread rumors unless you saw the cannon .In fact it could have been the hand
Grenades gangs used to make
Don’t spread rumors unless you saw the cannon .In fact it could have been the hand
Grenades gangs used to make
Tue Jan 1, 2008 at 11:19 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Thanks for the New Year's correction. It may well have been hand grenades. Anyway, someone was celebrating, Chicago style, the New Year. Loudly.
Mem'ries... Misty crimson colored mem'ries...
As Barbara used to sing...
Mem'ries... Misty crimson colored mem'ries...
As Barbara used to sing...
Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 7:04 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
Who is Obama's Eduucation Advisor?????? I want to know. This is critical. I don't want more loons making policy about education. Free public education is the bastion of this country.
We cannot afford more years of the NCLB Act and high stakes testing.
The NCLB Act and high stakes testing are bad and continuing down this road is wrong-minded. Please read the Office of Inspector General's Report on Bush's Reading First Initiative.
We cannot afford more years of the NCLB Act and high stakes testing.
The NCLB Act and high stakes testing are bad and continuing down this road is wrong-minded. Please read the Office of Inspector General's Report on Bush's Reading First Initiative.
Wed Feb 13, 2008 at 7:54 PM
Obama Education Advisor Provokes Outcry
"Please read the Office of Inspector General's Report on Bush's Reading First Initiative."
The OIG report was based on confusion brought about by the OIG's inability to distinguish between upper and lower case. The OIG failed to distinguish between a commercial product called Direct Instruction (upper case) and a teaching method called direct instruction (lower case).
The OIG report was based on confusion brought about by the OIG's inability to distinguish between upper and lower case. The OIG failed to distinguish between a commercial product called Direct Instruction (upper case) and a teaching method called direct instruction (lower case).
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