Seems that Arne Duncan, head of the Chicago schools, will be taking the train to DC to serve as Obama's Secretary of Education. Duncan is an interesting case: A reformist superintendent who has managed to cultivate good, or good-ish, relationships with both the teacher's unions and their opponents. As Dana Goldstein notes, "Duncan is one of the only prominent education leaders in the country who signed both the Broader, Bolder and the Education Equality Project manifestos," which means both major reform coalitions consider him an ally. Some folks are seeing the pick as an effort not to "choose sides." To avoid the wars. To appoint Switzerland to head the UN. But there's also the opposite interpretation: By being aligned with both coalitions, Duncan need not choose between their best ideas. He can synthesize a policy rather than select a winner. The Broader, Bolder approach, with its emphasis on the socioeconomic forces that shape poor educational performance, probably holds more promise in the long-term. But today's kids don't have the luxury of waiting for the long-term. The Education Equality Project is right that much in the schools is broken, and needs fixing now. But screwing with tenure will not, on its own, do nearly enough to close the gap between the suburban rich and the urban poor. An education secretary who understands the best arguments of both sides is likelier to prove able to advocate for, or at least push Obama to advocate for, the full range of necessary solutions, some of which will come from one set of reformers and some of which will emerge from the other.Other reactions: Seyward Darby calls Duncan a "solid choice" and adds some more information on his record. "Under Duncan's watch...the number of students meeting or exceeding standards on the Illinois State Achievement Test in reading has risen almost 25 percent, while in math it's gone up 34 percent...And the achievement gap between black and white students has shrunk more than eight points in both subject areas. Dropout rates have also declined by eight percent and graduation rates has increased by the same amount." Elizabeth Green, over at Gotham Schools, suggests that battle lines could yet be drawn. "Will Jon Schnur, namesake of the nameless reform movement, be named Duncan’s deputy, as the Democrats for Education Reform group wants? Or will Darling-Hammond, who led Obama’s transition team on education policy and was boosted by a petition with a shockingly long list of names?" Jason Zengerle notes that Arne Duncan, a former professional basketball player in Australia, adds another name to Obama's Team of Ballers. Looked at that way, Duncan's appointment seems almost preordained.And Matt makes a useful point, saying that the power still lies with the relevant committee chairs in Congress, and George Miller and Ted Kennedy show no signs of abandoning their reformist take. Duncan, in fact, fits neatly into their troika: Good relations with the unions paired with a healthy appreciation for their shortcomings. ARNE DUNCAN.
Seems that Arne Duncan, head of the Chicago schools, will be taking the train to DC to serve as Obama's Secretary of Education. Duncan is an interesting case: A reformist superintendent who has managed to cultivate good, or good-ish, relationships with both the teacher's unions and their opponents. As Dana Goldstein notes, "Duncan is one of the only prominent education leaders in the country who signed both the Broader, Bolder and the Education Equality Project manifestos," which means both major reform coalitions consider him an ally. Some folks are seeing the pick as an effort not to "choose sides." To avoid the wars. To appoint Switzerland to head the UN. But there's also the opposite interpretation: By being aligned with both coalitions, Duncan need not choose between their best ideas. He can synthesize a policy rather than select a winner. The Broader, Bolder approach, with its emphasis on the socioeconomic forces that shape poor educational performance, probably holds more promise in the long-term. But today's kids don't have the luxury of waiting for the long-term. The Education Equality Project is right that much in the schools is broken, and needs fixing now. But screwing with tenure will not, on its own, do nearly enough to close the gap between the suburban rich and the urban poor. An education secretary who understands the best arguments of both sides is likelier to prove able to advocate for, or at least push Obama to advocate for, the full range of necessary solutions, some of which will come from one set of reformers and some of which will emerge from the other.Other reactions: Seyward Darby calls Duncan a "solid choice" and adds some more information on his record. "Under Duncan's watch...the number of students meeting or exceeding standards on the Illinois State Achievement Test in reading has risen almost 25 percent, while in math it's gone up 34 percent...And the achievement gap between black and white students has shrunk more than eight points in both subject areas. Dropout rates have also declined by eight percent and graduation rates has increased by the same amount." Elizabeth Green, over at Gotham Schools, suggests that battle lines could yet be drawn. "Will Jon Schnur, namesake of the nameless reform movement, be named Duncan’s deputy, as the Democrats for Education Reform group wants? Or will Darling-Hammond, who led Obama’s transition team on education policy and was boosted by a petition with a shockingly long list of names?" Jason Zengerle notes that Arne Duncan, a former professional basketball player in Australia, adds another name to Obama's Team of Ballers. Looked at that way, Duncan's appointment seems almost preordained.And Matt makes a useful point, saying that the power still lies with the relevant committee chairs in Congress, and George Miller and Ted Kennedy show no signs of abandoning their reformist take. Duncan, in fact, fits neatly into their troika: Good relations with the unions paired with a healthy appreciation for their shortcomings. 
