Obama will destroy TFA by supporting it. There are only so many idealistic Ivy League grads willing to work in crappy conditions for crappy pay. Right now they do it because its selective and looks good on their resume. An Obama expansion will dilute its exclusivity and turn it into just another unsucessful way of training teachers.

Why has no one ever did a comparative study of effective education schools to see which programs get it right, after controlling for all the usual factors.

but, irrepective of bush administration innovations (most of which, i would argue forcefully, have been effective), why and how would the proposed new office work any better than, say, the labs and the comprehensive centers? some of them do good work, particularly, recently. but they do not have a long and rich history of supporting real research-based practice and effective innovation.

perhaps andy and sara will devote an additional piece to explaining exactly how these new federal efforts will be less immune to the congressional pressure, the power of status quo interests, and the many competing interests out in the field so that only, or even mostly, the good will get the funding.

sandy kress

But it also stands to reason that two aspects of NCLB would have to go if your ideas have a chance. Firstly, you have to address one of the original sins of NCLB, the attempt to guarentee success. (why would civil rights crusaders ever seek guarentees?, but that gets off in another story) There is no guarantee that any single new innovation will work. So the guarantee/CYA attitude has been death to creatvitity.

Secondly, there is no way to have NCLB-type accountability and make your prosposals work.

When I think of NCLB-type accountability, I think of the scene in the old Vonnegut novel where weights are attached to the arms and legs of ballet dancers. You can have creative art or your can have top down, social engineering, but you can’t have both. I see your proposal as a way to cut the chains off education, and release the American spirit. I’d think conservatives would be more thrilled with that then they are worried that subjectivity to intrude into the decision-making process. In fact, I’m shocked, shocked that educational politics might intrude into presidential politics.

I’ve got computer problems so I’ can’t take the time to check spelling etc. sorry