In the summer of 2005, Katrina destroyed most of the New Orleans Public School District infrastructure—a blessing to many, since the district was one of the worst performing in the country. According to published reports, 73 of its more than 120 schools were considered to be “failing,” according to the state’s educational accountability standards. On one 2004 measure (the GEE test of highschoolers) 96 percent of Orleans Parish students were below basic in English, and 94 percent were below basic in math.Carla Axtman thought that was "disgusting," and called him an "ass."
In the wake of Katrina, the Louisiana State Legislature turned over most of the area to a Recovery School District headed by its own superintendent. That superintendent has begun chartering many of the Recovery District schools, which in turn has attracted some of the leading charter school operators in the country. Sixty percent of schools in New Orleans are now chartered.
OK, fine. But guess who agrees with Matt Wingard?
President Obama's U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan! The Washington Post reported today that in an interview to be aired this weekend, Duncan said that the hurricane was "the best thing that happened to the education system in New Orleans."
Duncan apparently went on to make precisely the same point that Matt Wingard made, about the fact that New Orleans had a rare opportunity to start over from scratch with their public schools, and they are building a new system based on charter schools, choice and competition.
Gee, maybe Rep. Matt Wingard is perhaps the TRUE progressive here. He cares about how well the school system serves its clients.
It sure seems as if BlueOregon and Carla Axtman care a lot more about unions than about the kids. Gee, how "progessive."
8 comments:
Good catch.
However, the difference between Wingard and Duncan is that when Duncan, the Carla Democrats and the teacher's union get's done it will be right back the way it was.
Wingard would use some of these innovations to guarantee that won't happen.
http://reason.tv/video/show/unlocked
I read some of the comments after the Axtman screed. One claims that choosing a charter = loss of 'local control'. Ha ha, loss union local control mebbe.
I don't see much of any local control in my locality. I can't imagine a bigger boost to education than to throw out the d@mned union. Then eliminate the bachelor of ed degree.
With those two steps you could then reinvoke local control, and then the sky is the limit.
Until then, Go Vouchers!
These Progs sure are a hoot. Don't they know that The Progressive Era was an utter failure in American-fascism? Look it up.
I fail to see why the paid Blue blogger deserves such attention.
Redline, she doesn't deserve it.
And Anonymous, you certainly should be the one dictating education policy to us, since you seem incapable of spelling the word "maybe."
Did you pass the third grade? How many attempts did it take?
Duncan has now apologized. sigh.
As far as dictating, that's what government does. Government schools, too. School "system"...
Want REAL freedom? Prochoice? Just try choosing your school! It IS your money...
Duncan apologized and then restated the same position. Then the Louisiana State Superintendent and the local Super said he was right... and that locals say it all the time.
No apology needed. He's just being political.
Don't give up on Arne Duncan just because Obama appointed him.
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