Uncategorized

A Product of Public Schools

Eduflack Uncategorized

Earlier this week, the New York Times’ Michael Winerip offered a piece looking at the nation’s leading education reformers and where they themselves went to school.  It should come as no surprise to those in the education space that many of the names closely associated with either the ed reform community or politicians with a keen eye toward education are products of a non-public school education.  In a suspenseful follow-up, we may also learn that many ed reformers — particularly those in urban settings — are sending their kids to private schools.

So Eduflack wants to set the record straight.  I am not, nor have I ever been, a student at a private institution of learning.  In fact, I attended six public schools in four different states during my K-12 run, including: Cottage Street Elementary School (Sharon, MA); Linden Avenue School (Glen Ridge, NJ); Ridgewood Avenue School (Glen Ridge, NJ); Capshaw Junior High (Santa Fe, NM); Santa Fe HIgh School (Santa Fe, NM); and Jefferson High School (Shenandoah Junction, WV). 
For good measure, I even slummed it at a little public university called the University of Virginia.
And yes, my kids will be attending public schools, with the edu-son starting kindergarten in September.  I even went old school, choosing my current residence because of the quality of the public schools.  Go figure.
So what does this mean?  I have no idea, just as I have no idea what to take from the NYT piece.  Am I more or less qualified to talk ed reform because I went to several mediocre public schools?  Does that diploma from a consolidated county high school in West Virginia give me some added gravitas?  Or should we just be looking at the substance of ideas to the school improvement debate?  Anyone?    

Oh, Those “Government-Run Schools”

Eduflack Uncategorized

Have we really gotten to the point where we are going to attack the very existence of public schools as a way to score political points in the presidential primaries?  Apparently so.  Over at The Education Debate, my latest post looks at recent rhetoric from GOP presidential contenders attacking U.S. schoolhouses.

“Government-run schools.”  “Attempts to socialize our children.”  “Government monopoly system.”  Imposing “one fixed set of political beliefs.”  All real quotes in recent weeks.  And all real quotes from folks who have been elected to serve as U.S. senators, congressmen, and state governors.
Sure, everyone is entitled to their opinions.  But in one’s zeal to attack the “status quo” or lay waste to teachers unions, has no one told these White House aspirants that their beloved charter schools are public schools too?
Check out the piece (as well as a lot of other great content) over at The Education Debate.  And realize the likely political rhetoric on the schools is only starting to heat up. 

“I’m Glad I’m a Boy”

Eduflack Uncategorized

As most know, last week was Read Across America!  In schools across the country, adults came into classrooms to read to kids (many of them reading Dr. Suess in honor of his birthday).  Eduflack actually visited three schools during the celebration, reading to classes of first graders, third graders, and fifth graders in the process.

The beauty of Read Across America is that adults can bring in books that have special meaning them.  With my first graders, for instance, I brought in a few books my own kids love, including Duck for President and Pinkalicious (a book I have to read nightly these days).
During one of my stops, a colleague showed me a book that I just could not believe.  I didn’t know whether to laugh or cry, smile or frown, or shake my head in amusement or disgust.  It was a book I had never heard of, but this person found, in all places, at an AAUW book sale.
The book is titled, “I’m Glad I’m a Boy! I’m Glad I’m a Girl.”  The book was written by Whitney Darrow, Jr. and published by Windmill Books in 1970 (the first printing).  At first read, folks seem to think Darrow was a serious author (in part because he father founded Princeton University Press).  But in reality, Darrow Jr. was a career cartoonist for the New Yorker.  And while this book was quickly pulled from school shelves (and you’ll see why below), it clearly was intended as satire, no? 
Here’s the full text of the book:
“Boys have trucks. Girls have dolls.
Boys are Cub Scouts. Girls are Brownies.
Boys are strong. Girls are graceful.
Boys are handsome. Girls are beautiful.
Boys are doctors. Girls are nurses.
Boys are policemen. Girls are metermaids.
Boys are football players. Girls are cheerleaders.
Boys are pilots. Girls are stewardesses.
Boys are heroes. Girls are heroines.
Boys are Presidents. Girls are First Ladies.
Boys fix things. Girls need things fixed.
Boys can eat. Girls can cook.
Boys build houses. Girls keep houses.
Boys are grooms. Girls are brides.
Boys are fathers. Girls are mothers.
I’m glad you’re a girl. I’m glad you’re a boy.
We need each other.”
If you want to see it with full illustrations, check it out here.  So the big question, satire or an honest look at 1970s value judgments?  And what would a parent say if their elementary school tot brought this home from the school library today?
  

Four More Eduflackin’ Years!

Eduflack Uncategorized

Oh, how time flies!  Four years ago today, I officially launched Eduflack.  On March 5, 2007, I officially entered the blogosphere.  At the time, I said ESEA reauthorization would be a major topic of discussion (I was right, but didn’t realize it still would be the case four years later).  I talked about the importance of taking the topic of school improvement to all stakeholders, and not just the usual suspects (right again).  And I noted the challenge of real education progress breaking through the “white noise.”  (I’m three for three.)

Of course, I also told readers “not to expect in-depth discussion or debate on the impact of” key policy issues.  (Really swung and missed there.)  But on the whole, still feel good about the ideas, analysis, opinions, and complaining often found here at Eduflack.
Since its launch, I’ve posted 706 essays to Eduflack (this is #707).  Reading First and SBRR are our most popular topics (thanks to the early years), with Arne Duncan and national standards nipping at the heels.  Our readership has increased month after month, to the point where I am regularly surprised by who is reading it (and even more so, who act on some of the things they read).  Eduflack has won a number of awards and recognitions, though I still say the only reason I do it is I find the writing cathartic.
In 2009, I launched the companion @Eduflack Twitter feed.  I did so because there were a number of interesting articles, studies, and events I just couldn’t write about for the blog, but wanted to share.  Today, @Eduflack has more than 6,000 Twitter followers, what seems like a pretty good number in the education space, particularly for just one fat man with a computer.
All of this is just a long-winded wind-up to say THANK YOU!  Thanks to all those who read Eduflack.  Thanks to all those who comment on the posts.  Thanks to all those who retweet the Tweets or through me a #FF.  And thanks to all of those who inspire it all, through their actions, their projects, their organizations, their research, and their words.
I truly enjoy spending virtually all of my time in the school improvement space.  I do it because I think we can make a difference, and effective communications is a key component of that difference.  A client once said I live at an interesting intersection of research, policy, and communications.  I’m not a Ph.D., a policy wonk, or a publicist.  I’m complicated.  I like that.  Eduflack … it’s complicated!  A new mantra for the coming years.
But I digress.  Thanks to all of those who have made these past four years so much fun.  You have me truly excited for year five.   

They Love Us, They Really Love Us

Eduflack Uncategorized

This week, the good folks over at DIY Learning released their list of “The Top 50 Education Pundits Worth a Follow on Twitter.”  Believe it or not, deal ol’ Eduflack is actually on the list, identified as one of 14 education policy Twitter feeds to follow, joined by folks like the US Department of Education, the Education Equality Project, AEI, and the Center for American Progress.

Other categories include News (Chronicle of Higher Ed, HuffPo, and Teacher Beat, to name a few), Educators (including Alexander Russo, Jenna Schuette, Michelle Rhee, and John Merrow), and Library (including the Library of Congress).
Currently, @Eduflack has more than 5,000 followers Twitter, not bad for just a fat man with a laptop.  And we are grateful for each and every one of those followers, just hoping we are giving them what they are looking for.
For those not following @Eduflack over on Twitter, give it a look.  Unlike this blog, the @Eduflack Twitter feed is light on opinion and all about relaying the latest news, research studies, and other happenings in the education policy world. 
And don’t let this week fool ya.  Ye olde Twitter feed is dark so I can spend much of the week with the eduwife and edukiddos down at the Happiest Place on Earth.  I’ll be back full force next week.
Keep it coming, DIY Learning.  I just love making your top 50 lists.
  

I’m Back

Eduflack Uncategorized

As you may have noticed, Eduflack has been dark for the past couple of weeks.  Blame a busy work schedule, coupled with a busy family schedule and a busy civic duty/school board schedule.  Or chalk it up to the fact that education reform has been quite boring these past few weeks.  We seem to be experiencing the Groundhog Day effect, where we are talking about the same issues and having the same arguments that we have been having in recent months and years. 

But I’m getting back on the ol’ edu-horse.  Following tomorrow’s elections, we’ll have new direction at the federal level and likely in the majority of statehouses across the nation.  We have many saying education may be the leading domestic policy issue for 2011 (I’ll believe that when I see it).  And we have a slew of major superintendencies open that need filling (hopefully without the typical game of supe musical chairs).

So Eduflack is back.  Witty and relatively obnoxious commentary will likely start tomorrow, as we look at what will come out of election day.  Around the Edu-Horn is coming back to.  So please, give me a second (or a third, or even a first) chance.

Remembering THE Senior Senator

Eduflack Uncategorized

Sadly, Eduflack awoke this morning to learn that U.S. Senator Robert C. Byrd of West Virginia had passed away, at the age of 92.  Senator Byrd was a true institution, a policymaker, a statesman, a voice for the voiceless, and a true senator in the classical definition of the word.

Nearly 20 years ago, the senior senator from the Mountain State took a chance on dear ol’ Eduflack.  While still in college, I joined his press office.  I learned how to write press releases and floor statements.  I would field calls from reporters across West Virginia and around the globe (learning that those reporters from the weekly newspapers in the hills of West Virginia were far more important).  And before many of those West Virginia newspapers had computers or fax machines, I would read them press releases over the phone, as you could hear the clickety-clack of the typewriter as they took down every word.
Then, a little over 15 years ago, he asked me to serve as his press secretary, and it was a true honor.  Having just graduated from college, at the age of 22, I was a public representative for the senior senator from West Virginia and the top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.  One of my first assignments — write a draft of an hour-long floor statement he could deliver on the historical meaning of Independence Day (going all the way back to Aristotle).  I learned more in my time as Byrd’s press secretary than I have in any job since.
In my professional life, Senator Byrd was one of my great teachers.  He taught me history.  He taught me about American government.  He taught me about the Constitution.  He taught me about legislative processes and about the federal appropriations system.  He taught me the differences between a politician and a public servant.  And he taught me the true value, and potential dangers, of a representative democracy.  I treasure the autographed copies of his books that I proudly display in my home office, and I still take great pride in the fact that I was a Robert C. Byrd Scholar in high school (a West Virginia high school to boot!).
While most primarily talk about his work as the leader of Senate Appropriations for nearly two decades, Senator Byrd also did tremendous things for education.  He was a strong advocate for rural education, a champion for community colleges, and a firm believer in the value of a college education.  The Robert C. Byrd Scholars program has made a difference in the lives of thousands of young people (and needs to be saved from its proposed elimination in this year’s presidential budget).  And along with Senator Lamar Alexander (TN), Byrd has long been an advocate for increased instruction in civics and the U.S. Constitution in our K-12 classrooms.  
He was also a pioneer in online learning and teaching, bringing telemedicine to West Virginia long before most saw the value of sharing information and engaging via satellite or computer. 
I recognize that some like to dwell on the missteps and mistakes of Byrd’s past, but I also hope we can recognize that, unlike many who serve in public office, he regularly reflected on his past and learned from it.  When I had the privilege of working for Senator Byrd, he would often say his greatest regret was voting against the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  While he was mindful that his past would always be part of the “official bio,” as we see in obits today, he did not let it distract him from doing what was right in the now.  And he did do what was right, for both the people of West Virginia and for the nation he loved so much.
The Washington Post has its story here.  The Charleston Gazette has its story here.  And my friend Marty Kady at Politico has his here. 
As WaPo reminds us, after the 2000 elections, Senator Byrd said, “West Virginia has always had four friends.  God Almighty, Sears Roebuck, Carter’s Liver Pills, and Robert C. Byrd.”  Nothing could be more true.
I am incredibly fortunate that I had RCB as a boss, mentor, teacher, and friend.  The Great State of West Virginia and the United States of America are better places because of Senator Byrd’s service to our great nation.  There is no replacing Robert C. Byrd.  One can only pick up where he has left off, building on the legacy he has left us all.
     

Happy Anniversary, Me!

Eduflack Uncategorized

We pause from our regular missives on education agitation to take a moment to celebrate Eduflack’s anniversary.  It is hard for me to believe that we launched this blog three years ago.  At the time, I anticipated readership in the zero mark (not even my mother or my wife were regular readers in the early days).  I started Eduflack because I found the writing cathartic.  As originally envisioned, this blog was going to focus on how well we are communicating on key education issues.  As these pages have grown, we’ve also spent a lot of time talking about the policy and the research itself, trying to mix things up, pick fights, and spur some different thinking on the ideas on which we are so focused these days.

In that time, we’ve written close to 1,000 entries.  And, unfortunately for Eduflack readers, my posts are far longer than your average bear blog posts.  I’ll admit, I can be a little verbose, but I continue to try to provide content that is relevant to readers.  I’ve learned over the years that I really do have readers.  Sure, the blog statistics show me who is visiting and how that is increasing, but I am particularly surprised when I hear from real people that they read this site.  I know how much content is out there on the Web, so I take it very seriously when people say they read this stuff.  It puts the pressure on to continue to write, to continue to be relevant, and to continue to be of some sort of value.  You’ve definitely raised the stakes for me, and push me to do better.
That’s one of the reasons why we added the @Eduflack Twitter feed.  During a good week, I can turn out four or five essays on the education news of the day.  But there is much, much more that I wish I could write about.  So each day, I offer up 10-15 Tweets relaying those articles and studies that are catching my eye.  And the good think about the @Eduflack Twitter feed is it is relatively opinion free.  Just lots and lots of links to the issues and topics of importance to me and, hopefully, Eduflack readers.
As I reflect on the last three years, I have to both start and end with huge thanks to those readers and supporters out there.  Everyone who reads it.  Everyone who cites Eduflack or links back to it.  Those who comment on posts.  Those who send me story ideas or take issue with the story ideas I select.  This blog has value because of the ongoing input I receive.  Without such input I really am truly just writing for myself, and that does no one any good at this point.
But there are also a few important notes I would like to point out, based on some recent feedback, items that I believe are worth highlighting:
* Eduflack is not a journalist, and I sure hope I don’t try to portray myself as one.  I have a great deal of respect for journalists and for the ethics that govern their profession.  Real journalists are out there gathering the full story, interviewing parties on both side, and providing a balanced approach to a topic.  That isn’t my job.  At best, I am a commentator.  If you are looking for the news, there a number of sites I can and have directed people to for the best in education information.  I will link to many of those stories in my posts.  But Eduflack is not a journalist, despite the number of media releases that end up in my inbox each day.  I write opinion.  The point of this blog is to provide my critique and my analysis of the education issues of the day.
* That also means that I have a day job.  For the past dozen years, ever since I left Capitol Hill, I have spent most of my time as a consultant, working with a great number of organizations and individuals.  As a general rule, I have always tried NOT to write about my clients.  When I have, I have disclosed those relationships.  But obviously, what I write about is what I am focused on during the day.  The focus on RF came out of all the years I spent shepherding the National Reading Panel.  A recent focus on high school graduation rates and the achievement gap sprung from my work with the National Governors Association and its Honor States initiative.  So while I have always tried to disclose when I have a direct business interest in a post, it is safe to say I have an intellectual interest in everything I write.
* I am an amateur when it comes to research.  Over the past 10-plus years, I have been fortunate to work with a great number of education researchers, particularly those who fall into the non-squishy variety.  I have learned a great deal from them, and, from time to time, feel these wise individuals have provided me an informal graduate education in such research issues.  But whether it be my analysis or virtually anyone else’s analysis of the data, it is always best to trust, but verify.
* I don’t shy away from criticism.  I’m always surprised when folks want to engage in a lengthy debate on a topic with me, but take such debates and critiques offline and private.  I enjoy the public debate.  And I am more than willing to open up these pages to others who may want to take issue with a particular post or may have a different perspective.  If you want to take dear ole Eduflack on, just drop me a line and we can make it happen.
I look forward to another interesting and thought provoking Eduflack year.  We have RttT, common core standards, and i3 coming down the pike.  ESEA reauthorization is waiting.  And, perhaps more importantly, we are starting to move into a closer look at how these new federal actions are affecting our states and localities (particularly on the implementation side).  Lots to write about, lots to commentate on, lots to stir up the pot with.
Thanks, all, for making the past three years so much fun!  Here’s to another year (and hopefully more) of offering an intersection for education policy, research, and communications.
 

Welcome to Mr. Jefferson’s U, Madame President

Eduflack Uncategorized

Big news coming out of Charlottesville this afternoon.  Today, the University of Virginia, Eduflack’s alma mater, officially announced that Dr. Teresa A. Sullivan would become the eight president of Mr. Jefferson’s University, following two decades of terrific leadership by John T. Casteen III.  Dr. Sullivan assumes the post August 1.

Sullivan brings the pedigree we would expect for the top public university in the nation.  She joins U.Va. after serving as provost and executive vice president for academic affairs at the University of Michigan.  She previously spent nearly 30 years at the University of Texas system, rising to the post of executive vice chancellor for academic affairs.  And for the record, she holds a doctorate from the University of Chicago (too bad it wasn’t from Virginia), with her scholarship focused on labor force demography.
She is going to have HUGE shoes to fill.  President Casteen has been one of those leaders that so many institutions dream about.  A steady hand at the helm for 20 years, Casteen kept U.Va. as a top public Ivy throughout his tenure, weathering massive budget cuts from the state.  With less than 10 percent of his funding coming from the Commonwealth, Casteen has continually grown the University, building new buildings, recruiting top professors, and strengthening the overall institutional brand.  He even had U.Va. football ranked number one in the country (albeit briefly).  And Casteen is a triple Hoo to boot (B.A., M.A., and Ph.D.).
But perhaps even more impressive are the two capital campaigns Casteen has led for the University, raising billions of dollars to ensure our position as one of the top universities in the nation.  So as Sullivan sits down in the big chair, the alumni network likely expects to see fundraising continue, U.Va. atop the US News rankings, and some national championships, preferably in football and basketball.
President Sullivan carries even more baggage when she looks at the history before her.  She will be the eighth president for a university founded nearly two centuries ago (granted, there was no official U.Va. president for the institution’s first 80 years).  More importantly, she is the first woman to serve as president of the University, an institution that did not go coed until only four decades ago.  In fact, Sullivan officially takes over a month before the 40-year anniversary of the first class of undergraduate women at the University’s College of Arts & Sciences.
Across the nation and around the world, Virginia alumni should be proud.  Proud of the legacy Dr. Casteen has left.  Proud of the history the Board of Visitors has made by selecting Teresa Sullivan.  And proud of the opportunities now before us.  Today is a proud day for Mr. Jefferson’s University.
Wahoowa!

That Sort of December

Eduflack Uncategorized

Just a quick word of apology from Eduflack.  December has been that sort of month, and as a result, Eduflack posts have been few and far between.  Between a busy speaking and writing schedule, family obligations, and what has been a relatively boring ed policy month (just how much can we write about Race to the Top), I just have not been posting with the frequency that I want or intend to.

So never fear.  Eduflack will be back in January with a vengeance.  Our goal will again be to post at least three times a week.  And some of them may actually be interesting, informative, and provocative.  So please bear with us in 2010.
Happy holidays!