The Black Sphere has moved! You should be automatically redirected in 5 seconds. If not, visit TheBlackSphere.net and update your bookmarks.

Monday, December 22, 2008

Cabinet Series: Stupid is What Stupid Does – New Chicago Education Czar

Don't you find it just a bit moronic, excuse me…"ironic", that Obama would select his new Education Czar, Arne Duncan, from Chicago? After all, this is the same school system where Obama did not put his daughters.

In this article in USA Today, we are offered a bit more information about Duncan: 

Duncan, 44, has supported higher pay and better working conditions for teachers. He has championed district schools, which are managed by the Academy for Urban School Leadership. The academy trains new teachers and boasts a 90% teacher retention rate.

He has also backed No Child Left Behind, President Bush's 2002 education law, but testified in 2006 that Congress should amend it to give schools, districts and states "the maximum amount of flexibility possible" to implement it.

First, note there is no reference on what Duncan actually did FOR THE KIDS!

As for No Child Left Behind, the flexibility Duncan wanted was "No Accountability for His Behind".

And as for his other accomplishments, Duncan did a lot for the teachers, retaining 90% of them. When you look at Chicago schools report card, it's easy to see how he retained them: They had nowhere else to go, as this article in the Chicago Tribune explains:

CHICAGO - A spokesman for the Chicago Public Schools says authorities are expected to announce next month plans to close or consolidate at least 20 schools next school year. That's up from 18 last year. 

chool system spokesman David Pickens says eight to 12 struggling schools, including at least two high schools, probably will be targeted for closing based on poor academic performance. 

What is the result of all this hard work and restructuring of the Chicago school system?  According to this report from the University of Chicago

After a lifetime of reforms under Mayor Daley, how do Chicago public school students stack up against their big-city peers?

Anywhere from the near-bottom to the middle of the pack, according to fourth- and eighth-grade reading and math scores released Thursday for 11 big-city districts.

Given this record of achievement by Duncan, I am not surprised that Obama selected him to be the leader of our nation's education program. When it comes to true leadership, Obama doesn't have a clue what to look for.

Put simply, Chicago would have been better off having hired a chimpanzee as the CEO of the system. They could have saved a lot of money, and gotten the same results.

That's my rant!

© 2008 Kevin Jackson – The Black Sphere All Rights Reserved


Share/Save/Bookmark

15 comments:

Anonymous said...

reaper527

FTA
"Don't you find it just a bit moronic, excuse me…"ironic", that Obama would select his new Education Czar, Arne Duncan, from Chicago? After all, this is the same school system where Obama did not put his daughters."

hit the nail on the head. this is a massive dissapointment

Anonymous said...

KJeffV

Another winner, Kev! Thx!

+1 f/"...one chimpanzee out of work!?"

Anonymous said...

Zubata

Political payback perhaps?

Anonymous said...

mmaine

Arne Duncan is qualified, after all he is Obama's friend and basketball partner from Chicago.
What more do you need from someone to be the Education Czar. /sar.

Thanks for sharing your insight Kevin.
"Rant On"!!

Anonymous said...

lccat

Let’s face it the goal of most of the leadership of the teacher’s unions and most of the school administrators is not to educate our children but to guarantee jobs and financial support to cultivate their own little empires for their personal gratification, enrichment, and to most their Elitist agenda.

Anonymous said...

RedGirlRising

By appointing Arne-the-failure from Chicago schools, Obama fulfills one of his movement's key objectives - Keep the kids dumb so they grow up to be dumb voters.

Anonymous said...

fragapaloza

And if the are dumb voters they will continue to vote for people who promise them free stuff, hope and change.

Anonymous said...

fragapaloza

And if the are dumb voters they will continue to vote for people who promise them free stuff, hope and change.

Anonymous said...

Perhaps this Education Czar can try to do what was done here in California which I blogged about: the banning of algebra testing. Since here in California it's the Teacher's Union and the gang bangers that rule the schools, I figure some good ole Chicago style politics can't hurt. One thing for sure, here in California, I doubt we would even notice the difference.

Anonymous said...

There has to be an Ayres/Annenberg connection here somewhere

Anonymous said...

I love these rants. Why can't more people in the world make as much sense as you??

The Black Sphere said...

Thanks, Tracey! I love the support!

Anonymous said...

SuperVepr308

Well, there goes any chance for education reform. BO towed the line and just paid the NEA back for their support. Let me guess the first thing she will say: "We need more money for schools and teacher salaries". Yep, that's always the answer. Throw more money at it and ignore the inherent problems of a system with no real competition. Way to go. Teaching is a noble profession but I just don't believe it's about education anymore.

Anonymous said...

Kadane

Well, he has to start the pay back somewhere, might as well make good since he showed the system wasn't good enough for his girls. We need vouchers, let parents send their kids to the school of their choice and not where the county or city dictates. The public system is a joke when at this time kids are still dropping out. There are no role model teachers anymore most just pass them on while they collect their check. We need better teachers.

Anonymous said...

Kadane

SuperVepr you describe it best with we are playing copy cat to American Idol. The presidency has become a joke.

I recall a story in the old testament about a boy who would be king only the people wanted someone different, one they could relate to if you will. God allowed them to chose and they chose Saul who in the end fell on his own sword to end his life because his armourbearer couldn't kill him and then the armourbearer killed himself. And the boy well he was David and he did become King and was anointed by God. We have a Saul over us now and we have to pray God will send us a "David". One that we would not look on his statue or contenance but will have a heart for God. It is the very least our people under God deserve.