President-elect Obama has made his choice for the next Secretary of Education (see AP summary). While a professional educator all of my life, I have lived mostly in the midwest and never in a large city. I wonder about the choice of a “big-city schools chief”. I understand that the “issues” are very different in this setting and why those who succeed in such environments need be more of a political/business background rather than an educational orientation. Why is this a good thing? New ideas coming out of such a background likely emphasize management and reward structures. The logic appears to be if we can make education a more economically competitive environment, we will attract needed talent to the field and get rid of the less competent. Perhaps, but simplistic. Seems like a different version of more of the same.
The thing I remember from the acceptance speech was the message the President-elect had for parents. The comments seemed to offer a broader perspective and explain a broader responsibility for student achievement. I understand that it is far too early to tell and I do like the priorities of the Obama education platform. Maybe a break from the traditional was too much to hope for with everything else that is going on.
Some video clips
