Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Alan LeBovidge, Paul Reville, what’s the difference?

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Alan LeBovidge

So now we have a clueless “manager” who can’t even manage to keep traffic flowing through a toll booth.  Dismissed once by the governor (probably with good reason), his lack of management skill and inane public statements makes him a great candidate for a second dismissal.

But Deval’s folks just keep the inane remarks coming.  One day after the House issues a proposed FY10 budget filled with draconian cuts in local aid, here comes Education Secretary Paul Reville.  He has an op-ed in the Globe talking about the administration’s education strategy.  How to help local districts make it through tough times?  Recognition of the challenges being faced by sharply diminishing resources?  Of course not.

While we are gutting programs on the local level, here’s a guy off in the clouds with new and expensive programs.  

IN A RECENT sharp and focused speech on education reform, President Obama highlighted Massachusetts for our long and unwavering support for rigorous curriculum and high standards for students. The agenda he outlined aligns closely with Governor Patrick’s Education Action Agenda. From a focus on early-childhood education to longer school days and school year to an increased push for more students to enroll in higher education, it is apparent that Massachusetts is already leading the way on the next generation of school reform, building the system’s capacity to educate all students to proficiency.

And then there are charter schools.  What could help a struggling district more than setting up a charter school in their midst?  These little self-governing school districts are expensive, with tons of administrative staff to run one little school.  And the cost comes from garnishing the local aid accounts that are funding the cash-starved public schools. Reville continues:

However, the governor has proposed lifting the cap on charters in Massachusetts, specifically in low-performing districts that are nearing their caps, so proven charter operators can serve our most challenged student populations who have not been well served. The governor’s “smart cap” proposal lifts the district spending cap from 9 percent to 12 percent in those low-performing districts when providers commit to work with the neediest students. This cap lift will ensure that successful charter school operators have the ability to expand their contributions in school districts where the need for innovation is greatest.

Further, to encourage innovation and expand access to a greater number of students, Patrick has boldly called for the creation of Readiness Schools, autonomous, in-district, charter-like schools designed to give experienced educators increased discretion to operate schools under performance contracts with school committees. Readiness Schools will attract universities to operate partnership schools and empower educators, charter providers, and others to take responsibility for not only running schools but improving student achievement. One form of Readiness School will be offered in situations where outside providers will be invited in to operate chronically under-performing schools under new rules.

Just another clueless person at the top, who think this is some kind of “Sim City” game and who could care less about the impact they have in the communities.



Paul Reville

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Comments

  1. Sure sounds like it.

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    p>Will anyone with actual “ground experience” be appointed by this administration?

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    p>There is just no substitute for real experience, and sometimes, without input from “the grunts on the ground” the grand ideas just sort of drift off into space, it seems.

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    p>Perhaps what is needed is ‘grunts’ with “bladders” to bop those lost in the clouds so that they will, instead, pay attention to what is going on around them and speak sense.  

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    p>Here it is, straight from the book Gulliver’s Travels:

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    p>http://www.jaffebros.com/lee/g…

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    p>

    With these Bladders they now and then flapped the Mouths and Ears of those who stood near them, of which Practice I could not then conceive the Meaning. It seems the Minds of these People are so taken up with intense Speculations, that they neither can speak, nor attend to the Discourses of others, without being rouzed by some external Taction[Emphasis added – the ‘taction’ seems to be a good old fashioned boot to the head] upon the Organs of Speech and Hearing; for which Reason those Persons who are able to afford it always keep a Flapper (the Original is Climenole) in their Family, as one of their Domesticks; nor ever walk abroad or make Visits without him. And the Business of this Officer is, when two or more Persons are in Company, gently to strike with his Bladder the Mouth of him who is to speak, and the right Ear of him or them to whom the Speaker addresses himself. This Flapper is likewise employed diligently to attend his Master in his Walks, and upon Occasion to give him a soft Flap on his Eyes; because he is always so wrapped up in Cogitation, that he is in manifest Danger of falling down every Precipice, and bouncing his Head against every Post; and in the Streets, of jostling others, or being jostled himself into the Kennel.

    • People with real world experience!  What a great idea!
      AmberPaw for State Supreme Court Justice!
      Pablo for Education Secretary!
      David and Charley for the Mass. Cultural Council!
      Peter Porcupine for Animal Control Officer!
      What other BMG bloggers should get jobs in the administration?

      • If they pass pension reform, it’s not worth it to get a job in the Admin.

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        p>Seriously, though, this Patrick guy should really stop pretending to care about education.  It isn’t “bold” to undermine contract law and erode local control of education through forced regionalization and forced charters (which is what Readiness schools are).  It takes no courage to plan for things that will cost much more money than we have — it’s foolhardy.

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        p>After a year where charters were repeatedly shuttered for being, well, what we expect when private companies take over public functions, to call for further charters is a real disconnect.

      • After all, you certainly “audit”.

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        p>And actually, I am not interested in being a State Supreme Court Justice – thanks for the vote of confidence for my appellate work, though.

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        p>What job would I like to get my hooks into – well that is another story.  When you are ready to take me up on that cup of coffee I keep offering you [I figure you for another Dunkin Donuts type] – you can even keep your super hero costume on and maintain your secret identity – I might just tell you.

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