Why are America’s Schools So Mediocre?
Perhaps because of politicians like Democratic Congressman David Obey of Wisconsin, who last night convinced his fellow members of Congress to pass a bill that would snatch back money already promised to education reform incentives like the Obama administration’s Race to the Top competition.
Why would Obey do such a thing? Particularly when his own state is gunning for Race to the Top funding? Wisconsin’s June 2010 application, signed by the state’s governor and superintendent, makes it clear that this money is vital to the kids in Obey’s state:
“The status quo is not acceptable. Race to the Top provides an unprecedented opportunity to expand successful state and local reform efforts to effect systemic change and increase education innovation. The State’s reform agenda will increase overall student achievement, close the achievement gaps, increase high school graduation rates, prepare students for college and careers, and build the capacity, human capital, to make the State’s reforms sustainable.”
So why would a Democratic congressman pull $800 million dollars away from a program that may turn out to be the most effective use of federal education funds in a generation? A program that is (relatively speaking) tiny, but has already incentivized more than a dozen states to change their laws and regulations and reform their schools before a single dime has been spent?
Obey says he wants this money to help bail out teachers whose jobs are in jeopardy due to the recession. But anyone who thinks this is about saving teachers’ jobs is being misled. Obey could get the money to protect teachers’ jobs elsewhere (Obama officials have given him specific alternative offsets within the budget to find this money.). He is just choosing not to. He has indicated before that he does not support reform efforts, and he is using the recession as an excuse to slow Education Secretary Arne Duncan’s momentum.
Let’s be clear. If Congress wants to save teachers’ jobs, they could do it a million different ways—including cutting existing budget fat like the $8.8 million Exchanges with Historic Whaling and Trading Partners program (with thanks to Alyson Klein at Education Week):
That program “supports culturally based educational activities, internships, apprenticeship programs and exchanges for Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, children, and families of Massachusetts, and any federally recognized Indian tribe in Mississippi.”
To defend his actions, Obey likes to revert to gee-whiz metaphors: “When a ship is sinking, you don’t worry about redesigning a room, you worry about keeping it afloat.” Here’s the problem: this ship has been sinking for a very long time. It is not “afloat” for millions of kids around the country. For them, postponing teacher layoffs (which only imperil some 2-5% of teachers anyway) is like redesigning the room. Race to the Top is not perfect. But it is the closest thing we have to a life boat.
Jokefest said on July 15, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Ahh Amanda—I knew I could count on you for some absurdist reasoning and corporatist shilling on this educational issue. You may want to forward a link of this blog post to Eli Broad; he might get you that book advance so you can write glowingly about Duncan, Rhee and the other brave and benevolent “reformers” who are the only ones who truly care enough about under privileged minority kids to make sure that their entire education be reduced to taking standardized tests well enough to be labelled “proficient” by the shifting standards of their states—standards which of course need to be tweaked now and then to get them the results necessary to validate the bold “get tough” decisions made by the likes of Rhee and Duncan. That way there is statistical “data” to trumpet which can contradict NAEP scores that either decline, remain flat, or show statistically insignificant growth. Who knows, maybe Broad could even give you a free ride to his Urban School Leaders program and you could be a celebrated get tough reformer who could self-righteously claim to be on the right side of “the civil rights era of our time”.
Good luck!
Underhill said on September 06, 2010 at 2:54 pm
After attempting to teach for a few years I came to the conclusion that buildings are not schools no matter what the sign outside says. And, programs are not teaching no matter how many times we change the names of the programs.
What I did learn is that the single most important factor in student success is positive parental involvement and support. Once a parent tells the child that school doe not matter and that nothing there is of value there no amount of heroic effort on the part of the teacher that will make a difference.
rolexrepairs said on October 08, 2010 at 6:50 am
Its not just about money,it must be parental motivation and support that is key.
Kim said on October 23, 2010 at 1:38 pm
Good Golly Miss Molly ! It’s Pony Time and the Public School Teachers just cranked up the volume in an antique fire truck blasting the Blues Brother’s ! Have you seen that in the streets of your city yet ? Duncan “Think”..Chicago Core wins discrimination lawsuit ! Pattern of discriminatory firings and school closings. Don’t step on our 14th Amendment with your unproven educational policy reform under PL 107-110 an under funded law and now the great economic crisis recession in a state of re-authorization. Rhee reform melted and Fenty fired ! Support resources needed and send the “Mony Mony” direct deposit to the individual school bank account divided evenly.So many hands in the children’s pie it’ll make you cry ! TURN AROUND POLICY PUSHING EDUCATIONAL REFORMERS ,YOU’RE GOING THE WRONG WAY TO THE TOP AND STOP CLOSING OUR AMERICAN PUBLIC SCHOOL BUILDINGS ! “Hit The Road Jack” and we don’t want your undemocratic reform here ! Dunking Duncan booths now open and the water’s cold ! Charlie Rose petition to fire Duncan ? You decide but that’s enough toxic disruption to the learning positive environment ! Back away from K-5 ! We will not see another little one standing and holding a sign that says SOS ! Closing mergers and restructuring ? Save your educational sales pitch and not buying it ! Pay back the pork 101 “How Education Earmarks School Taxpayers.” Senator Coburn’s report released Sept. 30,2010. Elvis is singing ,“Jail House Rock”...Number 34 said to page 36…FIE manager serving 63 months in prison for educational earmarks.Big Joe Turner…..“Shake Rattle and Roll”....Traditional Public Education is on ZONE down court and go ! Excuse the elbows flying and no technicals ! “Flip ,Flop and Fly !” Thank-you Kim
rolex repairs said on November 18, 2010 at 6:36 am
The need to do well is not so urgent when you have plenty . Throwing money is not the answer its about attitude, will , and self respect. Look how well children from India do , they want education its there hope .
Shark said on December 02, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Underhill I agree with you.