This Week In Education: Campaign '08 Archives

A Pack Of Dogs, A Fire Hydrant, And A Powerful Lobby

Lots of takes from the blogs on the NEA letter from yesterday, which, ironically, is signed by none other than Diane Shust, the NEA lobbyist who used to work for Miller. Joe Williams of DFER who broke the news notes tongue in cheek "Whatever happened to support for multiple measures? Isn't it cruel/unfair to hold a Legislator accountable for the results of a single test?" I love it. PreaPrez, one of the most bilious people in the edusphere (at least towards me), says the NEA is just doing what it's supposed to do. Indeed, that's true. That doesn't make it right for education, though, or wise, or tolerable. Scooped by the blogosphere, The Hoff weighs in to note that until 2005 the NEA only rated lawmakers on votes, not cosponsorships, and that one of the bills on the "good" list comes from a lawmaker who has previously been "bad." Last but certainly not least, Charlie Barone's blog depicts House freshman as dogs on the NEA leash looking eagerly at the NCLB fire hydrant. Funny and mean, it's well worth clicking. (Former Miller staffer Barone noted on the HotSeat last month that Miller's own rating has been affected by his votes in the past on class size and Katrina vouchers and teacher quality.)

Posted by Alexander Russo at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Tensions Within The Universal Preschool Crowd

Another seemingly overlooked article comes from the most recent NYT Sunday Magazine, in which Ann Hulbert charts the growing tide of interest and action towards universal preschool (Universal Prekindergarten). We all know that, of course. But Hulbert points out a couple of worthwhile reminders.

First, that increasing access creates quality problems (spending per pupil is going down, see chart). Second, that the kind of preschool that advocates would design for low- and middle-income children is not the "free play" preschool that progressives (and wealthier families) seem to want for their own children. Advocates are pushing UPK in "notably wonky, rather than warm and cuddly, terms," notes Hulbert in her roundup of recent books by Fuller and Kirp, focusing on cost-effectiveness and brain research. So do we end up with a two-tiered system replacing the current patchwork, or a mix of progressive and readiness? I don't know. For her part, Hulbert thinks that a dose of structure might not be such a bad thing for kids, rich and not so. For my part, I think that recent experience with the SCHIP suggests that anything on this front is going to have to happen in 2009 at the earliest, and even then will face an uphill battle.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Obama Gets Tough On NCLB

Obama Fields Tough Questions At MTV/MySpace Forum
Obama slammed the Bush administration for not properly funding No Child Left Behind, saying he'd rethink the system to include art and music and more creative pursuits that foster student's imaginations, as well as emphasizing early childhood education. (When the student who asked the question seemed unimpressed, Obama replied, "What more do you need, Mike?," before assuring him that students for whom English is a second language would not be penalized under his revised system.)

PLUS: Richardson: Teachers should get minimum of $40,000 a year AP
Teachers should get minimum of $40,000 a year

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:45 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

UPK: Just Don't Call It Childcare

You might think that Gail Collins' column about controversy over child care has nothing to do with school reform, but you'd be wrong. As Collins points out, we've got a substantial child care problem in the US, and little political appetite for discussing it. But universal preschool does an end-around on this, by providing an additional year of government subsidized care for children that parents otherwise would have to be covering out of pocket. Check it out: None Dare Call It Child Care. If there's any relief for working parents on the horizon, this is probably it.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Teacher In The Cabinet: Another Richardson Gimmick

USA Today's political blog notes via Greg Toppo that, in another shameless ploy to appeal to as many folks as possible without saying very much, Bill Richardson on Thursday pledged that his EdSec would be.... a teacher (here). Historians will note that EdSec Riley put a teacher nominally in charge of teaching-related issues during his two terms. I'm not sure it made much difference, though it probably made lots of folks feel warm inside.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Presidential Candidates Don't Use Education Scholars

Wondering why education's great academic minds -- Ravitch, Fuller, Hoxby, Hanushek, Murnane, whomever -- aren't in the fray advising the major presidential contenders like their counterparts in other fields? Me, too. The Education Election blog points to this free article in the Chronicle about campaign advisors who come from academia (Scholars Who Counsel Candidates Wield Power). But there is no mention of education. This means (a) education isn't important enough to have any scholars on board, (b) there aren't any education scholars worth having, (c) the education think tanks have pushed the academics out of the way, or (d) the article simply left them out. My guess is "C," which is a big problem if you're the AERA or anyone else who thinks academic research should play a role.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 5:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Chicago Teachers Go With Obama, Not Clinton

The same day that the national teachers union AFT announced that it was supporting Hillary Clinton for president, the Chicago local announced that it was going with the local guy: Barack Obama. Here's the announcement -- what do you think?

"United States Senator and Presidential Candidate Barack Obama picked up a major labor union endorsement today as members of the Chicago Teachers Union’s House of Delegates voted to endorse him for President in the upcoming primary. “Senator Obama is Illinois’ favorite son and a good friend of teachers, paraprofessionals and labor. We want to show him our appreciation and support by endorsing him as our candidate for President,” added Stewart. The endorsement will activate the 32,000 membership and political action component of the Union in helping Senator Obama reach out to educators across Chicago and the suburban counties."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 7:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Breaking News: AFT Endorses Clinton, Not Richardson

I guess all that pandering and NCLB-bashing worked. The AFT just announced that it's endorsing HRC for President. It's not much of a surprise, except maybe to Bill Richardson (pictured) who has so many good education ideas, or to Edwards folks who were hoping his proposal (see below) would give him some pull.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What Happens On Education When Hillary Wins The Nomination?

Earlier this week columnist David Brooks suggested in a much-discussed (and free) New York Times column that the liberal (progressive) end of the Democratic party -- that means you and all your NCLB-hating friends -- could once again hurt Democratic chances for victory -- if Hillary Clinton wasn't already trouncing everyone else (The Center Holds). In that context -- what do I know? -- some of the current NCLB tactics by the teachers and others -- might be seen as pre-primary theatrics intended to bring the Democratic candidates as far left as possible before the inevitable and pragmatic slide towards the middle (and Democratic victory) begins. Not that everyone involved is pragmatic.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Media Ignoring Universal Preschool For NCLB?

Over at the Education Writers blog, USA Today's Richard Whitmire reminds us that universal preschool might end up being just as "big" an education issue as NCLB (Will preschool outpull NCLB?). It's not that UPK is being ignored by the candidates -- HRC and Edwards both have preschool plans -- but, as Whitmire points out, the press still hasn't caught on. In part, I'd argue, because preschool issues include a whole set of other players and dynamics that most K-12 folks (reporters included) don't know much about.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Edwards Turns To Education To Try And Get Traction

I still don't think he has much chance, but John Edwards looks like he hasn't given up on bashing NCLB and wooing teachers (and others) who might be swayed by that. According to The Caucus, he even pulled out the old "you don't fatten a pig by weighing it" line. Now if that isn't commitment. (Edwards Talks Education and Livestock). A following article points out that Edwards is trying to use NCLB to distract from all the Clinton attention for her health care plan, and that Edwards' education plan focuses on better, not necessarily fewer, tests.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Spotted: Cruising For An Endorsement?

What US Senator and leading Democratic presidential candidate was spotted by a keen-eyed reader walking with her staff into the NEA building? That would be HRC. Why go to them, rather than having them come to the Hill? Maybe she happened to be in the neighborhood. Or maybe she's complying with campaign and lobbying laws that limit what you can do while on government property. She's got the NEA endorsement all but wrapped up, it would seem.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 1:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Education Staffers, Democratic Presidential Campaigns

Here's my incomplete and completely unverified list of campaign education staffers for the top Dem. presidential candidates:

HRC: Catherine Brown (with Mildred Otero in the Senate office)
JRE: James Kvaal (from the Senate office)
Obama: Cassandra Butts (with Steve Robinson in the Senate office)

Thanks for any additions or corrections.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Hype Alert: Democrats For Education Reform

Not that I haven't hyped them myself -- DFER is a fascinating concept (a PAC for pro-charter, pro-accountability Dems) and Joe Williams is a nice guy -- but let's let them actually do something (help Obama beat Clinton?) before we give them way too much attention and credit. Right now, DFER makes KIPP and Green Dot -- previous subjects of the Hype Alert -- look like accomplished veterans. Or let's at least ask them tougher questions than what their positions are: how much money do they have, how much have they given out, and to whom? What are their priority races for 2008, local or national? What specific influence or advocacy are they pursuing, and how's it going with that?

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

The Talent Primary... In Education?

This Newsweek article about candidates' competing for staffers for their campaigns reminded me that it's been a while since I last asked around about who's covering education for the campaigns. As I recall, MaryEllen McGuire had moved from Dodd's committee staff to the campaign, and there were some folks moonlighting for Obama from the Center on American Progress. But that was about it. No "big" names jumping in early in order to get a plum job in the next administration. Not that working on education for a campaign is as much of a big deal as some folks like to think it is. (The Talent Primary).

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Will Not Fixing NCLB Help Dems Win The White House? No.

By the twisted logic of Washington politics, there may be little political benefit for Democrats in getting America out of Iraq before the 2008 elections -- even if the real-world consequences (more people dying) are obvious ( An Inconvenient Truth (Politics)). Can the same be said for revamping NCLB? Maybe not. Failure to end the Iraq war can with some legitimacy be blamed on obstinate Republican opposition (in Congress, in the White House) as much as impotent Democrats. Failure to "fix" NCLB is -- so far -- more of an intramural problem for Democrats and their supporters. And, of course, it must be said, NCLB is no Iraq.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:17 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Educating Elected Officials Through Their Pocketbooks

Whether or not Democrats For Education Reform (DFER) is ready to do battle at this level is not really known, but give them credit for trying. Attached is Joe Williams' email calling on reform-minded Democrats and their supporters to "stand up to the CTA and NEA goons who are out to strip everything that is good and pure from NCLB" (made up quote --joking!). The only thing that gives DFER any real chance here is that they have a PAC -- perhaps their main innovation on the school reform advocacy front -- to which they hope you will contribute. They didn't help get the House freshmen elected (the NEA did), and they don't represent teachers (again, NEA and AFT), but maybe they'll help get some of lawmakers re-elected (or replaced). Or at least that's the idea.

Previous posts: An "Emily's List" For Education?

Continue reading "Educating Elected Officials Through Their Pocketbooks" »

Posted by Alexander Russo at 2:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Richardson Slammed For Misrepresenting US Achievement

The good folks at FactCheck.org point out that presidential candidate Bill Richardson "keeps claiming U.S. students rank 29th in math and science, but they score better than that." He also says that we used to be Number One. Oops! Double oops!. See also here for a post about other education-related claims made by Richardson that have been challenged.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:18 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

The Great Presidential Mashup "Cheat Sheet"

I don't think that any of the candidates have said anything noteworthy on education -- or that anything they say about the issue before the primaries are done with should be believed -- but maybe you want to know for yourself. Fine. Yesterday, I showed you the Washington Post "issue tracker." Today's it's the Slate/ Yahoo!/ Huffington Post overview of what each of the candidates have said on education, in preparation for tomorrow's, er, debate.

"What have the candidates said on the issues so far? Are they changing their stories? Our cheat sheet on the previous debates will help you be the judge. Here we're offering background information on education, one of the three issues selected by readers for the Slate/Yahoo!/Huffington Post candidate mashup." (The Democrats on education)

Posted by Alexander Russo at 2:47 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

WashPost "Issue Tracker" Monitors Candidates On Education

Still not really ready for any real work today? I'm with you. Check out this fun little tool from the Washington Post folks, which lets you see who's doing or saying what on education (and other issues), or at least who's being talked about in relation to the issue. Last I checked, Obama had 12 education-related mentions, with Hillary just behind him. "The issue tracker includes information from the Web sites of a wide variety of sources across the political spectrum. Sources include news organizations, political parties, interest groups, bloggers, unions, trade organizations, candidates, activists, and more."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Democrats For Education Reform -- An "Emily's List" For Education?

There was a little too much speechifying and not enough informal talking at the latest DFER happy hour, but the drinks were free and the attendees were an interesting mix of current and former educationistas. LEFT: Some notables (pictured, left to right) included the DOE's Laura Smith, school finance guru Kent Anker, and DFER's Joe Williams. RIGHT: I also met Eddie Rodriguez, who just left the DOE to run an AP incentive program, and Christina Brown, who does charter school facilities stuff for Civic Builders, and Josh Greenman (not pictured), who writes editorials for the New York Daily News. I still don't know exactly what DFER does, much less whether it will be of any influence in the current campaigns, but who knows? Money talks. These guys have money. Someday soon someone will get elected with DFER's help.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

The Left Slaps Down The Center During Primary Season

Hard times for centrist Democrats when NCLB reauthorization is lurching left and all the candidates go to YearlyKos in Chicago and no one shows at the DLC confab. So much for claims that left-right politics were a thing of the past -- during primary season at least.

So last night everyone continued to work hard to seek union endorsement. Forbes quotes HRC with this gem: "We need growth models for students. We need broader curriculum. We need to make sure that when we look at our children, we don't just see a little walking test. We've got to have a total change in No Child Left Behind." There's an overview from the Washington Post here.

It's no real surprise, despite the fact that they have in the past toyed with some not-so-labor-friendly ideas. Kerry did the same thing, as this Boston Globe article points out. Time magazine has a nice explainer on why the unions are holding off on endorsing anyone. Clinton seems like the frontrunner when it comes to NCLB-bashing (and in the polls), but who knows what happens in the next few months.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

No Contractor Left Behind? Or No NEA Credibility Left Behind?

Here's the flyer that's got the edblogs buzzing -- apparently handed out at the liberal blogging convention known as YearlyKos, at which the Democratic presidential candidates appeared (more on this later). Sherman Dorn calls the flyer sloppy and sensationalistic. The Quick and the Ed says that moves like this make it hard to take the NEA seriously.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Curriculum Narrowing Not A Reality In Many Schools -- And Not A Requirement For Any

"If your child attends a successful school in a well-to-do neighborhood, chances are the curriculum hasn't narrowed," points out this excellent USA Today editorial that the USDE ever so kindly sent out an email about (An illusion gains credibility)."And if your child attends a school in a high-poverty neighborhood, chances are the school needs to zero in on basics." Most importantly, the editorial acknowledges that some schools have gone too far, but there are well-respected programs being used around the country that don't require the exclusion of other subjects. Like the editorial says, "it doesn't have to be that way."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What Anderson Cooper Should Have Asked The Candidates

What followup questions should Anderson Cooper have asked the Presidential candidates -- if only he knew a little about education? Eduwonk has some ideas here (Ed Politics), including challenging Richardson on his NCLB-bashing and probing Dodd on whether he's for NCLB or national standards. "It fell to Mike Gravel of all people to say that maybe some choice and competition might help!"

*Free Daily E-Mail Updates Now Available -- See The Yellow Box To The Right.*

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:15 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Video NCLB Excerpts From Last Night's Debate

Thanks to DAD for recording and uploading these NCLB excerpts from last night's debate, which include Bill Richardson slamming the law for, among other things, taking money away from low-performing schools and districts (huh?), Joe Biden channeling Paul Wellstone and calling it a mistake, and Chris Dodd jumping in at the end to protect his buddy Ted by saying we should get NCLB right but not abandon it (NCLB: Scrap, Keep or Punt until 08?):

No Clinton or Obama or Edwards footage, alas.

Here's the video question that prompted these responses, which uses a whiteboard and some really bad heavy metal music to make its point:

Meanwhile, EdIn'08 again castigates the candidates for not focusing enough on education -- though perhaps their real beef is with CNN and YouTube for not airing enough education questions: "More questions were submitted about education than on any other issue. Like their Republican counterparts, the Democrats have given nothing but lip service - and not much at that - on education. Never have so many said so little about something that means so much. This is a dramatic failure of leadership...The candidates' failure to offer courageous and bold leadership on education is a failure for students throughout the country."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obama Advocates Sex Ed For Kindergarteners, Does He?

This latest kerfluffle over Obama's comments about kindergarten sex ed to Planned Parenthood seems to have come and gone, alas, but reveals how easy it is to get in trouble on education issues: Sex ed for kindergarteners 'right thing to do' says Obama ABC News (video here): "Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., told Planned Parenthood Tuesday that sex education for kindergarteners, as long as it is "age-appropriate," is "the right thing to do." Meanwhile, Obama Girl and Giuliani Girl are fighting it out on YouTube.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Dems & Vouchers

Every year, Democratic politicians' opposition to vouchers gets narrower and narrower, even though there still aren't a ton of voucher programs around. In fact, one Democratic front-runner, Barack Obama, has not only voted for targeted vouchers (Katrina, etc.) but also indicated he'd support them in other situations. So maybe this is the year for a Dem or two to cross that big divide. Here, Joe Williams calls for a big school voucher proposal from John Edwards, who's proposing a housing voucher instead (Holy Moses).

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More Kids Killed In Chicago Than Soldiers In Iraq

A few weeks ago, the Chicago Tribune's Stephanie Banchero tracked down just how many Chicago public school kids had died during the first half of the year -- 34 and counting -- a statistic that generated a lot of discussion not only because it seemed so high but also because most if not all of violence happened off campus. Since then, the statistic has been used by the school system to argue for more education funding, and, most recently, by political candidates like Barack Obama to make the case for paying more attention to the plight of the urban poor: Obama Bemoans 'Epidemic of Violence' (Forbes). "Nearly three dozen Chicago students have been killed this year, according to Chicago Public Schools. Obama said that figure is higher than the number of Illinois serviceman who've died in Iraq in 2007."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Where's Our Michael Moore?

I'm finding it hard to get worked up about education reform these days when crazed but brilliant "Sicko" documentarian Michael Moore is taking on CNN's Wolf Blitzer, handsome medical correspondent Sanjay Gupta, and mainstream coverage of health care issues (as well as missing the boat on Iraq, the treatment of veterans, etc.). It makes you think. Wouldn't it be horrifying and exciting and disruptive if someone in education -- a more charismatic and compelling version of Jonathan Kozol, Debbie Meier, Marian Wright Edelman, et al -- was pushing this hard on the school reform front, and getting this kind of attention? Why isn't there? If there was, who would be leading the way?

Posted by Alexander Russo at 1:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (4)

Obama Hands NEA Endorsement To Clinton

Many have noted Barack Obama's brave foray into the wilds of merit pay in yesterday's speech (so much for the notion that it's widely accepted), but what about his apparent slam at teachers (and others) for their poor attitudes about low-income and minority kids?

"I was talking to one of the young teachers there about the challenges they faced, and she mentioned what she called the “These Kids Syndrome” - the willingness of society to find a million excuses for why “these kids” can’t learn," says Obama according to his prepared remarks (Remarks of Senator Obama at NEA). "It’s the idea that “these kids come from tough backgrounds” or that “these kids are too far behind.” And after awhile, “these kids” become somebody else’s problem.Then she said to me, “When I hear that term, it drives me nuts. They’re not ‘these kids.’ They’re our kids."

As panderers go, Obama's not nearly the whiz that some of the others are. That was clear from his performance on Thursday with Tavis Smiley et al. And he probably realizes that Clinton's way ahead when it comes to the NEA endorsement.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (5)

Bad Republican Advice On NCLB Strategy

Over at National Review Online, Carrie Lukas has the questionable notion that Fred Thompson could run -- and win -- by running against NCLB (Fred To School). First off, I can't realistically imagine anyone winning anything on an education issue right now, no matter how good. Second, running against NCLB might help marginally in the primary -- might -- but would hurt just as much if not more in the general. That's one reason why Obama and others are holding their fire, and something that Sen. Clinton will have to deal with if she wins the nomination. Via the Fred Fan Blog

Posted by Alexander Russo at 4:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

No Clear Way To Pay For Initiatives, Says FactCheck

So last week's nearly-forgotten Democratic debate finally included some education talk (minimum wage for teachers, healthy breakfast for all kids, college access). But was any of it really do-able? Probably not says one group that watches out for over-promising politicians, ccording to FactCheck.org. "Candidates said little about how they planned to deliver on those promises, how much their plans would cost or who would pay." Of course, no one paying attention really thinks any of these things are going to happen. The key here is to promise as much as you can get away with during the primary and hope that some of the ~~suckers~~ voters and media fall for it. Repeat again as necessary in the general. Meanwhile, EdIn'08 clamors for more education talk -- and specificity -- than Dem candidates have provided thus far.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Biden Takes The Lead

...in answering the AFT's presidential questionnaire (here).

Posted by Alexander Russo at 3:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Paris Hilton & School Choice

Pop culture-school reform mashup of the week (so far) goes to Joe Wiliams for linking Paris Hilton and school choice.

"Paris Hilton Released From Jail...Meanwhile, millions of American students remain locked up in schools that aren't getting the job done while the Democratic party stands watch."

Read the rest at Joe Williams' DFER blog.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:48 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bloomberg Candidacy Would Bring Education Up

Over at the DFER blog, Joe Williams points out that if NYC Mayor Mike Bloomberg takes the next step and enters the race as an independent candidate it will upgrade the debate on education reform since he'll be the candidate with the most of a track record on the issue (Viva Bloomberg?). For that alone, I hope he runs.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Whirlwind Whitmire Takes Campaign '08 By Storm

USA Today's Richard Whitmire is all over the place these days, from a letter in the Times decrying the lack of education attention in the 2008 campaign to a recent announcement that EWA (the ed writers association) is ramping up the pressure. Current EWA board president, Whitmire says that EWA has got one of the top candidates to agree to a one on one sitdown on education topics. Maybe they'll be crazy enough to let me sit on the panel and tear into the candidates like you know I like to do. In the meantime, why isn't Ed In '08 involved, I wonder? Organizations are so strange.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:22 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dodd Staffer Moves To Campaign

As other may already know, MaryEllen McGuire, Dodd's former education staffer, has apparently moved to the Dodd 2008 campaign, taking the deputy policy director spot. Sharon Lewis is covering K12 issues in Dodd's legislative office, and Taniesha Woods has postsecondary. Congrats, condolences, per usual.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Somewhat Annoying Latecomers Try New School Reform Strategy: Campaign Giving

Long-time rabble-rouser Mike Klonsky goes all class warfare in this post about a newish group called Democrats For Education Reform. Klonsky mocks its founders as arrivistes with little more than money, MBA-born ideas, and slick opinions. Though he would never use that word. To be sure, the May 31 New York Sun article (here) that set Klonksy off is a little uncritical. And the "new" reform folks can seem annoyingly clubby and frighteningly like dot-commers the first time around. In fact, some of them probably were. But what I really wonder is why reformers of other stripes (groups, think tanks, foundations, etc.) don't try the political/legislative approach DFER is exploring, rather than always leaving that inside game to the unions, associations, and industry lobbyists? Marches, petitions, reports, and panels just don't get it done, folks. Give DFER credit for getting themselves into the fray, even if it's a game you don't like and a goal you don't agree with. And ask yourself why you're not in there with them. Previous posts: Who The Hell Is Whitney Tilson?, The Sundance Of School Reform, and Joe Williams Joins Newish Pro-Charter Group.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Santa Fe Reporter Challenges Richardson's Education Claims

This is fun. Santa Fe New Mexican education reporter John Sena wrote in to say that Richardson has done lots of good things for education in the state, but not exactly what he claimed to have done at the Sunday debate (see below). "While he has done some things to improve education here, he has not implemented "mandatory phys ed." He has started only a small pilot project funding P.E. teachers for the poorest schools. The $40,000 minimum wage is also something of a fallacy. He has implemented a three-tier system where a starting teacher makes a minimum $30,000. After three years and a pretty extensive portfolio process, they can make a jump to $40,000. If they get a master's degree and complete another portfolio process, they can jump up again to a minimum $50,000. While it's encouraging to hear Bill talking about education, I just thought you should know that he's not being completely honest." Thanks, John --and watch out other candidates who make claims about their education accomplishments that they can't back up.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Everything I Needed To Know About Kindergarten Preschool I Learned From This Article

Look at the opening image in Elizabeth Weil’s NYT Magazine article (When Should a Kid Start Kindergarten?) and you’ll get the gist of what she’s out to say (even without my unauthorized arrow-drawing): delaying the start of kindergarten gives wealthier and whiter kids with more educated parents an unfair advantage over younger, poorer, and more minority kids. The most viable solution, barring a return to the bad old days when kindergarten was kindergarten? You guessed it: universal preschool.

To be sure, I haven't heard much about this trend (and am immediately suspicious of anything that could fan the flames of universal preschool fever). Stylistically, I could have used a little less Freakonomics (or is it Gladwell?). We've all read the "preschool is the new kindergarten" story before. And it's not really "redshirting" anymore if everyone is doing it. But there's been precious few questions being asked about the PK-K intersection. Who knew that a year of quality preschool cost as much as college? And the way that Weil connects the concerns and practices of the wealthy who read the Times Magazine with larger policy issues -- and issues of fairness and effectiveness -- is engaging and helpful. Read what other bloggers have to say about the article here.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Richardson "Wins" Nonexistent Education Portion Of Dem Debate

It'll take another day or two for FactCheck to verify their claims, but on Sunday night the Dem candidates (transcript here) had little to say by way of education compared to health, foreign policy, etc. Into this vacuum stepped, NM Gov Bill Richardson, who claimed to have "got rid of junk food in schools" and "brought mandatory phys ed in." Later on, he said he would "upgrade our schools" with universal preschool as his top priority and bring in a "minimum wage for our teachers" at $40,000. "I did that in New Mexico," he said. I have no idea if any of this is true, but I do know that having second- and third-tier candidates (Richardson, Dodd) leading the way on education ideas is not the sign that things are going well. Goddamn health care reform. Meanwhile, Ed In '08 issued the following press release calling on the citizens of NH to press the education issue when the candidates show up.

Continue reading "Richardson "Wins" Nonexistent Education Portion Of Dem Debate" »

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:38 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Getting Ready For The Obama Switcheroo

A lot of folks still seem not to understand that candidates' views and positions are going to change,once we get out of this long, tiresome Democratic primary thing -- and it may be an unpleasant surprise for many educators. This seems especially likely for Obama, who's already indicated some of his centrist (some would say conservative) views and ideas on schools, while Clinton has gone the safe (UPK) route and kept her mouth tightly shut on that front. (As I've noted in the past, Obama has already come out for charters, and has in the past said that he's open to the idea of vouchers.) Some of the best tea leaves on Obama come from the recent New Yorker profile of him (The Conciliator), which among other things parses the differences between Obama's voting record (liberal) and his rhetoric (conservative-ish): Obama "speaks about liberal goals in conservative language." Indeed, in the article he's quoted as saying that "the impact of parents and communities is at least as significant as the amount of money that’s put into education.”

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:56 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Early Childhood Proposals, Realistic and Otherwise

On Monday, Sen. Clinton came out with a $10 billion early childhood proposal that (Clinton Pushes Pre - Kindergarten Proposal). Apparently designed by Catherine Brown and Jake Sullivan on the Clinton domestic team, it looks pretty vanilla to me, but wins a speedy approval from the Ed Sector's Sara Mead, who says about the Clinton plan that it is "right on the merits and also plays well politically." Oh, goody.

Over at Early Stories, Richard Colvin takes a slightly broader look around, pointing out that neither Clinton nor the Ed Sector are alone in the early childhood space (New America, Obama, and Pelosi are others), that there are complicated politics to expanding the federal role in early childhood (ie, Head Start), and that the Clinton plan includes some unaddressed and unrealistic elements (ie, college-educated teachers in early childhood classrooms).

For some early childhood ideas that are more closely connected to existing legislation and that have some more realistic ideas for where to get the money, check out New America's event and new paper on early childhood, also released today. And I'm not just saying that because I did some editing work on it. The event includes tasty new comments from Mead, Sullivan, and Bel Sawhill.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:41 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Top Dem 2008 Candidates Have UPK Fever

There's not much detail -- or surprise -- in this post from AFT John about Sen. Obama Addressing the AFT's Executive Council, but we'll take what we can get. Sounds like Obama has UPK fever. Ditto for Clinton. Do you have any signs of UPK fever? If so, see instruction sheet for self-care guidelines.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Candidates Begin To Talk Education... But Who's Doing Their Thinking?

While The Ed In '08 folks are concerned there's not enough edutalk in the debates (No Room for ED?), the AFTies report that Sen. Biden and other candidates are talking to teachers (Sen. Biden Talks Education) and Inside Higher Ed rounds up candidates higher ed plans (Higher Ed and 2008).

What I want to know is who is doing the candidates' policy development work? I know one former USDEr who's doing some work on the side for one of the R candidates. And I've reported previously that Cassandra Butts from the Center on American Progress may be doing education and civil rights work for Senator Obama on the side (More Obama CAP Connections). But I'm sure every think tank and at-loose-ends policy analyst in town is trying to get in with the eventual winner (Think Tanks Battle For Candidates' Ears). Anyone know more specifics?

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:34 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Edwards Rolls Out College Aid Plan

Thankfully someone's paying attention to the Edwards campaign, or else I would have missed the new college plan, which TQATE's Erin Dillon posts about (here) as a plan that would increase and simply the college aid process, but might send aid to those who don't need it most. "I worry that this program would end up leaving out the students who need the most help, and inadvertently shift grant aid to students who tend to receive more in other forms of financial aid, like tax credits, loans, and merit-based institutional aid."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 2:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dem. Candidates Pilgrimage To NOLA (Again)

Both Clinton and Obama were in town for the Mayors Conference, and Obama did a Saturday school event at a charter school (hint, hint). Apparently his advance folks did a fine job gussying up the library where the event was held with new books and stuffed animals. Gotta love those photo ops. Now comes news that Clinton will be back here for another bite at the apple next week at Dillard University, a Historically Black College and University (HBCU).

Posted by Alexander Russo at 4:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What If Presidential Candidates Break Out Of The Mold?

Kevin Carey (on Washington Journal as we speak) has some useful observations about "ED In '08" in his post about the Schwarzenegger / Broad panel yesterday in LA, particularly that the effort, by picking three particular issues, limits itself: "I wonder how ED in 08 will react if a major political candidate puts forth an education agenda that meets the test of seriousness, but doesn't focus on these issues."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Can $60 Million Make A Difference?

Last week, the Gates and Broad foundations announced that former Colorado Governor (and LA schools superintendent) Roy Romer would help lead a new $60 million initiative to make education a top issue in the 2008 presidential campaign – one of the biggest single-issue efforts ever mounted.

The next night, eight Democratic presidential aspirants debated for the first time, and the education issue was nowhere to be found. Ditto for the Republican debate last night in Simi Valley. It was a complete shutout.

So what will it take to make American voters – and the politicians who woo them – think about education as anything more than a big snooze or an opportunity for platitudes and sound bites?

UPDATE: Click below to read the rest of this post, or here to read it at The Huffington Post.

Continue reading "Can $60 Million Make A Difference?" »

Posted by Alexander Russo at 1:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)

Education Shut Out (Again) During Debate

Skim the transcript of last night's debate (here) and you'll find tempting references to children left behind and grades and such -- but none of them used in reference to school reform. A few of the candidates said they didn't believe in evolution, though.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:53 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Bill Clinton Reverses Himself On Annual Testing

Perhaps in honor of his having proposed annual (national) tests a decade ago, Bill Clinton apparently reversed himself during a recent appearance in front of the NSBA and said that annual testing was too much (Clinton Criticizes Testing Required by NCLB EdWeek). Or perhaps he's just doing the pandering thing like his wife did a few weeks ago when she called NCLB tutoring "Halliburton all over again" in front of a teachers union crowd.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Jerald Joins $60M "Stronger American Schools" Initiative

Left out of today's NYT coverage of the new $60 million "Stronger American Schools" initiative (Billionaires Start $60 Million Schools Effort) is that Craig Jerald, formerly of EdWeek and the Ed Trust, is going to be policy director for the effort. Kudos and condolences.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Making Education A Top Issue For 2008 -- Somehow

Looking for something to do next week? Get yourself invited to the official Tuesday April 24 pre-launch of "Strong American Schools," the Gates and Broad funded public awareness campaign that -- as I broke in January -- is going to be headed by former Governor and LAUSD superintendent Roy Romer. The project is going to be run through Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors, headed by Melissa Berman formerly of the Conference Board (see profile PDF here).

No news as of yet on just how the effort plans to bring education to the front burner or who they've got to do their policy or political work, though I know they've been talking to some good people.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

GOP Presidential Candidates Have Views On Education, Too

These two roundups of GOP candidates' views on education show, generally, that education isn't on anyone's front burner just yet:

Most GOP Education Activists Still Sizing Up Field EdWeek
Republican experts on education issues are largely uncommitted at this early stage. Some state policymakers have begun advising one of the candidates, but most are waiting to see the ideas the current candidates put forth or who else gets into the race.

Presidential Candidates on Education: The Republicans The Huffington Post
A look at statements from the campaign websites of Rudy Giuliani, John McCain, Mitt Romney, and Sam Brownback.

Wake me up when one of them comes out promising to pull us out of NCLB without abandoning any of the ~~troops~~ teachers on the ground.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

School Reform And Campaign Finance

Catching a rebroadcast of MSNBC's The Countdown last night, I was struck by the comments of one of the guests about what the McCain-Feingold campaign finance reform legislation had -- and hadn't done. Obviously, given the early reports of massive fundraising, the law didn't get the money out of politics. It's as big or bigger than ever. But, as MSNBC's David Schuster points out, the law did increase transparency and accountability in campaign finance, giving reporters and the public more information about where they money is coming from and making candidates a little more accountable for what they do. Sound familiar?

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gingrich Hates Bilingual Education -- In Spanish

Trying to recover from his ill-considered rant against bilingual education and Spanish speakers, Newt Gringrich today posted this video on YouTube. He still prefers immersion to bilingual education, but now he says so in what seems like really bad Spanish:

Now if Hillary would just apologize to the tutoring industry and return the hostage students in time for Easter, all would be well in the world of education again.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 6:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Political Rhetoric Ratchets Up

Not to be outdone by Hillary (see below re tutoring), Newt plays to his base on the issue of bilingual ed, as noted by the Wonks (Newt Criticizes Bilingual Ed.). According to Newt, "We should replace bilingual education with immersion in English so people learn the common language of the country and they learn the language of prosperity, not the language of living in a ghetto."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:07 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Clinton Calls Tutoring Industry Terrorists Republican Contractors

Apparently trying to ease the NEA's pain at being called a terrorist organization, Presidential Candidate Hillary Clinton recently told an NEA audience that the tutoring industry was like "Halliburton all over again" (Clinton promises education improvements).

Halliburton doesn't have quite the same visceral bite as the "terrorist" line originally had, but it was definitely an effort to please the Democratic base, which has always viewed the NCLB tutoring provision as a watered-down version of vouchers (which it was). However, it's not like all teachers want the SES program to go away. Many of them teach in the after-school programs to make extra cash. They just want the programs to be better (than what?) and don't want the programs to be run by outside companies.

Over at EdBizBuzz, Marc Dean Millot takes another view, ascribing the vitriol to the tutoring industry's lack of coalition-building with moderate Democrats.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 11:05 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

More Obama-CAP Connections

Little did I know last week (Think Tanks Battle For Candidates' Ears) that the Center on American Progress has so many Obama ties to go along with its obvious Clinton connections (ie, John Podesta). Newest on my radar is Cassandra Butts, a CAP domestic policy guru who is moonlighting as an Obama advisor on her personal time. "Yes, there is a healthy competition among the think tanks to gain the ear of presidential candidates," writes Butts in an email earlier today. "And CAP is well positioned to participate in those conversations." I'll say. Forget Hillary -- how are the other think tanks supposed to compete with that?

Posted by Alexander Russo at 6:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

GOP Hopefuls More Supportive Of NCLB Than Others

Scroll down today's edition of The Hill and you'll see an interesting little bit about where the GOP presidential hopefuls stand on NCLB (GOP candidates divided on No Child Left Behind), which points out that, in contrast to some House Republicans, the main GOP contenders (McCain, Romney, and to some extent Giuliani) are much more "muted in their criticism of what has been heralded as one of the Bush administration’s flagship achievements."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 2:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

An Inconvenient Truth: School Reform May Go Better Out Of The Limelight

It is perhaps an inconvenient truth that there are several other issues that take attention away from school reform -- today's Congressional appearances by Al Gore on global warming being just the latest example -- not only potentially delaying consideration of NCLB but also diluting attention towards reducing the achievement gap, reining in the testing companies, or whatever else might need doing. Walter Reed and Alberto Gonzalez are recent examples. Health care and entitlement reform are even more relevant, since at least some of their work takes place in the same committees that cover education.

But the good news is that, at times, good work on education issues gets done and progress is made when education is out of the spotlight and at least some of the scene-stealers on both sides are distracted by other issues.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 8:39 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obama and The Annenberg Challenge -- Is EdWeek Reaching?

There's lots of interesting stuff in David Hoff's EdWeek profile of Barack Obama and his education background (Obama’s Annenberg Stint Informs White House Bid), but the Obama-Annnenberg connection seems like a reach.

UPDATED SEE BELOW

Continue reading "Obama and The Annenberg Challenge -- Is EdWeek Reaching?" »

Posted by Alexander Russo at 4:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)

Vouchers & Charterization Proposals Not Necessarily "DOA" In NCLB Or The '08 Campaign

Back a few weeks ago when the Bush administration proposed a new voucher initiative and a controversial charterization option for low performing public schools regardless of state caps, the Democratic response often included the descriptor "dead on arrival." But as this edspresso post reminds us (The Scarlet H), the traditional Democratic position on vouchers is both awkward and not necessarily monolithic.

I haven't had a chance to confirm the claim that former VP Gore has spoken so symapthetically on vouchers -- if you know where the quote is from, fill me in -- but it's almost irrelevant at this point. Unlike six years ago, most Dems have voted not only for charter funding but also for vouchers (for DC, for Katrina victims). And, as I've pointed out several times, media favorite Barack Obama has refused to rule them out in past interviews.

UPDATE: Here's a link to the interview, from 2000, where Tim Russert grills Gore on the voucher issue. It's not a very pretty moment for Gore (or Russert, pretending he doesn't have a view and is just asking questions). BTW, I'm told that Obama's kids go to the private U of Chicago Lab School.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 4:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Candidates: Take Your Pick Of Education Plans

Education Sector today released a report called Eight for 2008: Education Ideas for the Next President. Aiming to appeal to Republicans, Democrats and coincide with NCLB, Ed Sector has come up with eight possible education plans. While education, unfortunately, does not always receive a large part of the national election attention, Ed Sector offers these ideas to be included in the "ideas primary" while candidates are learning what is most important to Americans. A brief review of the report is listed below. The Full report can be found here.

Continue reading "Candidates: Take Your Pick Of Education Plans" »

Posted by Margaret Paynich at 2:20 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Why Is The NEA So Opposed To The Teacher Incentive Fund?

So the NEA sends a letter to Senator Alexander urging him to vote against his own amendment to restore the TIF funding that was eliminated in the House. And the Senate Republicans want us to know. Sen. Alexander describes the situation here:

Sending the letter to Alexander is nothing big -- happens all the time -- but, not having seen the letter, I still wonder why the NEA is working against the TIF when (a) it has so many bigger fish to fry and (b) the program has already been funded and money sent out starting last year? There are few enough things that lawmakers are willing to fund. Defunding TIF isn't going to create new money for something else.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 4:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obama Panders, Then Pushes, On NCLB

This weekend in Des Moines, Barack Obama first pandered, then pushed in response to a teachers' question about NCLB, according to this story in the the Des Moines Register. Specifically, he called for more money for the law and for teachers. But then called for more accountability for achievement. Will this candor hurt Obama's chances of winning the nomination?

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:36 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Little "Barry" Obama Was An Impish Student

Everyone now knows that Barack Obama didn't attend a radical Muslim school in Indonesia as a youth, but many will be surprised to find out that as a child Obama was impish, hyperactive -- and known as "Barry." According to this story (Impish Obama couldn't sit still, says school pal). "Former student and Ibu Karim's grandson, Bandung Winardijanto, remembers Obama as a "hyperactive junior who was daring, impish and could not stand still...We called him curly eyelashes because he had long and curly eyelashes...We knew him not by the name of Barack Obama but as Barry Soetoro...We use to tie him to the flagpole because he couldn't stand still."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Health Care Big, Education Small

Whatever you may think of the Bush health care proposal being rolled out this week, it's hard not to notice how much bigger and bolder it is than pretty much anyone's education proposals, whether they be to fix NCLB or to develop national standards. To get something that big and transformative in education, you'd have to look at a nationwide universal preschool program, the elimination of local school districts (or teachers unions), or a Constitutional amendment giving everyone the right to an adequate education. But so far as I know, no one powerful is talking about these things right now. What we ARE talking about seems so puny by comparison.

UPDATE: The lack of bold solutions is just as bad at the state level, writes Joe Williams at The Chalkboard (though I'm guessing that some universal pre-K proponents would take issue with him).

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

Where's Hillary On Education Reform?

Senator Hillary Clinton has not said much about PK - 12 education in the past few days since her Presidential campaign announcement, even as she has been soliciting questions from website visitors to answer in her live, online webchats. And she's probably wise not to. School reform ideas hardly ever get anyone elected, and have often arguably dragged them down.

Still, as first noted on The Chalkboard, former Senate staffer Dan Gerstein wishes he'd had a chance to ask Clinton some questions (five questions that won't make Hillary's webchats ). On education, Gerstein asks whether Clinton will "embrace controversial education reforms" as she has in the past, including an expansion of charter schools.

But instead, Senator Clinton is talking about what everyone else talks about -- making college more affordable (surprise, surprise) and improving life for the struggling middle class. She did mention an interest in providing additional relief to "young people" who go into shortage areas like math and science. Still no word about her position on national standards or NCLB reauthorization. We're not holding our breath.

Posted by Margaret Paynich at 9:58 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Obama & The Madrassa: The Real Education Story Of The Week

Sad to say, the only school-related issue that most folks out in the non-education world are paying any attention to right now is the issue of whether Barack Obama attended a Muslim school as a child in Indonesia: "Even last night, while Mr. Obama was doing interviews following President Bush’s national address, he was asked about the rumors," notes The Caucus (Obama's Religion and Schooling). "He was asked about it again on the “Today” show. Afterward, his staff released a fullblown offensive –perhaps a few days too late — to the media."

Posted by Alexander Russo at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

What Hillary's Candidacy Means For Education - Not Much

As the first '08 presidential candidate to make front, top and left of the Washington Post, Hillary Clinton made the rumors official on Saturday, January 20, 2007 - exactly two years from the date of the next presidential inauguration. She used a highly-praised online video on her website to make the announcement (which never mentions education), coupled with a typed statement of her candidacy (which barely mentions education). The most popular policy issue associated with Hillary is health care - something she did stress in her announcement.

Clinton's statement on NCLB's 5th anniversary notes her original support for NCLB and her charge that the Bush administration is under-funding NCLB. At the same time, she has earned an "A" from the NEA for voting in their interests 100% of the time in 2005 and submitted a request to the Government Accountability Office regarding the "slow progress in implementing academic assistance for students under the No Child Left Behind Act."

To see her stances on education in the Senate click here. A comprehensive site called On The Issues has a lengthy profile of Hillary's stances on education from AR to U.S. Senate. Main points: doesn't support school vouchers, supports types of performance pay, one-time testing for teachers - but no word yet on National Standards. My advice - don't hold your breath.

Posted by Margaret Paynich at 9:54 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)

What Obama's Candidacy Means For Education

Illinois Senator Barack Obama's entry into the 2008 Presidential campaign has lots of potential implications for education, including most obviously making CT Senator Chris Dodd even more of a long shot than he already was, and, by extension, making national standards, Dodd's current education issue, even more of a nonstarter.

But that's not all. Obama is an interesting, hard to read candidate on education issues, and is not only pro-charter but also -- maybe -- open to vouchers. (Hey, the guy smokes, too, didn't you know?).

Here are some recent posts about Obama and his education agenda from over the past few months:
First-Week Proposals On The Fritzwire (Innovation Districts)
Vouchers & Obama In The 2008 Primaries
Obama Shows Independence on Education

Posted by Alexander Russo at 9:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Gates Enters The 2008 Campaign

Earlier this week, I told you about a new Gates/Broad Foundation initiative to bring education to the forefront during the upcoming elections. Well, it turns out that it's true -- and that it was first reported in a squib in US News:

Job No. 1: Fixing Public Schools
Sen. John Kerry isn't the only rich guy campaigning against the woes of education. But Microsoft's Bill Gates and KB Home's Eli Broad, along with their combined foundations, are doing it with more diplomacy and fewer insults. We hear that the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the Broad Foundation have teamed to make public education the "it" topic in the 2008 race. And the big-time philanthropists are doing it in campaign style, with ads in Iowa and New Hampshire that begin right after Election Day. Their pollster, Frank Luntz, tells us that the nation is hungry for a solution to poor schools and would welcome a push to force all 2008 candidates to present a fix-it plan.

Based on how long it took to get a response out of them, the Gates folks don't seem like they're ready to say much more than that. Maybe they're still annoyed at me for breaking the news that Tom Vander Ark was leaving.

Posted by Alexander Russo at 12:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)

This Week in Education

Alexander Russo's inside scoop on education news.

Written by former Senate education staffer and journalist Alexander Russo, This Week in Education covers education news, policymakers, and trends with a distinctly political edge. (For archives prior to January 2007, please click here.)

November 2, 2007

A Pack Of Dogs, A Fire Hydrant, And A Powerful Lobby

November 1, 2007

Tensions Within The Universal Preschool Crowd

October 30, 2007

Obama Gets Tough On NCLB

October 18, 2007

UPK: Just Don't Call It Childcare

October 12, 2007

A Teacher In The Cabinet: Another Richardson Gimmick

October 10, 2007

Presidential Candidates Don't Use Education Scholars

October 4, 2007

Chicago Teachers Go With Obama, Not Clinton

October 3, 2007

Breaking News: AFT Endorses Clinton, Not Richardson

September 28, 2007

What Happens On Education When Hillary Wins The Nomination?

September 26, 2007

Media Ignoring Universal Preschool For NCLB?

September 24, 2007

Edwards Turns To Education To Try And Get Traction

September 20, 2007

Spotted: Cruising For An Endorsement?

September 19, 2007

Education Staffers, Democratic Presidential Campaigns

Hype Alert: Democrats For Education Reform

September 18, 2007

The Talent Primary... In Education?

September 17, 2007

Will Not Fixing NCLB Help Dems Win The White House? No.

September 13, 2007

Educating Elected Officials Through Their Pocketbooks

Richardson Slammed For Misrepresenting US Achievement

September 11, 2007

The Great Presidential Mashup "Cheat Sheet"

September 10, 2007

WashPost "Issue Tracker" Monitors Candidates On Education

September 7, 2007

Democrats For Education Reform -- An "Emily's List" For Education?

August 8, 2007

The Left Slaps Down The Center During Primary Season

August 6, 2007

No Contractor Left Behind? Or No NEA Credibility Left Behind?

Curriculum Narrowing Not A Reality In Many Schools -- And Not A Requirement For Any

July 26, 2007

What Anderson Cooper Should Have Asked The Candidates

July 24, 2007

Video NCLB Excerpts From Last Night's Debate

July 23, 2007

Obama Advocates Sex Ed For Kindergarteners, Does He?

July 17, 2007

Dems & Vouchers

July 16, 2007

More Kids Killed In Chicago Than Soldiers In Iraq

July 11, 2007

Where's Our Michael Moore?

July 6, 2007

Obama Hands NEA Endorsement To Clinton

July 5, 2007

Bad Republican Advice On NCLB Strategy

No Clear Way To Pay For Initiatives, Says FactCheck

July 2, 2007

Biden Takes The Lead

June 26, 2007

Paris Hilton & School Choice

June 20, 2007

Bloomberg Candidacy Would Bring Education Up

June 12, 2007

Whirlwind Whitmire Takes Campaign '08 By Storm

Dodd Staffer Moves To Campaign

June 7, 2007

Somewhat Annoying Latecomers Try New School Reform Strategy: Campaign Giving

June 5, 2007

Santa Fe Reporter Challenges Richardson's Education Claims

Everything I Needed To Know About Kindergarten Preschool I Learned From This Article

Richardson "Wins" Nonexistent Education Portion Of Dem Debate

Alexander Russo
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