Strawmen!

I’m not sure Elizabeth Green does new New York Gov. David Paterson any favors with this story. As I’ve said on this blog he’s been solid on school reform but Green’s story basically puts forward the too familiar construct that reform = vouchers and tax credits. That’s just not the case* and Paterson could have a good run, do a lot to improve the schools, and never go near the voucher issue (tax credits will be different there, for a variety of reasons, in NY tax credits are pretty widely supported despite being lousy policy). If he wanted to show some reform street cred he could start by knocking this idea down or he could make a big play on charter schooling. *In fact, from the point of view of the kids, the worst outcome is likely some token thing on vouchers that gets the choice folks all worked up but in the end does little to nothing to really improve schooling options there.