Massachusetts’ legislative leaders, including Gov. Deval Patrick and Mayor Thomas M. Menino of Boston, are moving swiftly to pass a charter school bill to better position the Bay State for a chunk of the more than $4 billion in education stimulus funding being offered by the Obama administration to states pursuing innovative changes in their public education systems.
Kentucky officials say site-based councils are good enough and performance is good enough. Just send money.
The Massachusetts process has been rife with controversy over funding and the loss of local control, with resistance led by superintendents, school committees and teachers unions.
Oh my, controversy! In Kentucky, that means time for talk, talk, talk and then a multi-year task force. Elected officials certainly can’t rock the comfort boat of special interests.
“I think it’s important to pass the bill not only to qualify for the race-to-the-top funds, but because it is the right thing for our children,’’ said Martha M. Walz, cochairwoman of the Joint Committee on Education. “The bill focuses on two things: closing the achievement gap in those schools and communities where some children are lagging behind, and for communities doing well, it creates a method for them to do even better.’’
Wow, putting kids first! What a novel approach! Kentuckians can’t even get their legislators to muster enough courage to discuss charter schools in an education committee.
As the world passes Kentucky by, at least we can watch real leaders in other states find a way to get the job done and put their children’s education first.
Kentucky officials say site-based councils are good enough and performance is good enough. Just send money.
The Massachusetts process has been rife with controversy over funding and the loss of local control, with resistance led by superintendents, school committees and teachers unions.
Oh my, controversy! In Kentucky, that means time for talk, talk, talk and then a multi-year task force. Elected officials certainly can’t rock the comfort boat of special interests.
“I think it’s important to pass the bill not only to qualify for the race-to-the-top funds, but because it is the right thing for our children,’’ said Martha M. Walz, cochairwoman of the Joint Committee on Education. “The bill focuses on two things: closing the achievement gap in those schools and communities where some children are lagging behind, and for communities doing well, it creates a method for them to do even better.’’
Wow, putting kids first! What a novel approach! Kentuckians can’t even get their legislators to muster enough courage to discuss charter schools in an education committee.
As the world passes Kentucky by, at least we can watch real leaders in other states find a way to get the job done and put their children’s education first.
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