Ed in '08?
May 4, 2007 12:36 PM
The education press has been abuzz with news that the Broad and Gates Foundations are pumping a combined $60 Million into a campaign to elevate education to the top of the '08 Presidential campaign agendas. This campaign certainly has our attention, given LFA's own plans to foster a more constructive national conversation on public education. It may offer us some opportunities.
Governor Roy Romer--former LA Unified Superintendent, former Democratic National Committee Chair, former three-term Governor of Colorado (etc.)--is lending his considerable stature and influence to this campaign by serving as its Chair.
What's the content of the campaign? Well, it depends on whom you ask. A number of journalists, including David Herszenhorn of the New York Times, have written that it will advocate for 1.) national standards, 2.) teacher merit pay and 3.) more time for learning. Needless to say, the first two of those topics in particular have stirred up real concern in a number of quarters.
On the other hand, Governor Romer and his colleagues have taken great pains to insist that the campaign is not advocating for specific policies on those points. Their formulation of their three focus areas is infinitely more cautious than Herszenhorn's: 1.) "American standards (agreed upon by the states not forced down their throats by the federal government)"; 2.) "Effective teachers in every classroom (compensating teachers based on performance and willingness to take tougher jobs)"; and 3.) "Time and support for learning."
It will be hard to predict what direction this mammoth campaign will take until it's farther down the road. It may offer LFA and its members some opportunities to join a vital national debate on public schools. In fact, Governor Romer has reached out to LFA and its members, encouraging us to participate in the campaign. I think we should take him up on the offer by providing our insights, joining open debates, and making sure our voices are heard.
Next week, Governor Romer will join the LFA Board for an informal conversation on campaign and its direction. I'll keep you posted....
