Joe Avellone rolled out his education plan today and while I’ve chosen another candidate I’m always interested in what candidates have to say on this subject. You can read it here and I would be interested in thoughts.
Please share widely!
Reality-based commentary on politics.
“State Funded Pre-Kindergarten Low-Income School Districts”
Our education governor doesn’t know what a preposition is. That’s fine, though: he’s right to say that PreK is essential. Wrong to pretend that he can guarantee how it will be funded in 2019.
“Extended Learning Time and Enrichment”
American school children already have the longest school year as measured in hours. This is doing more to eliminate social development, athletics, and art (what used to be called “childhood”) in favor of “STEM”. That is, force more math and technology on students. At least he’s honest — most players say the extra time is for enrichment, then three years later have filled it with test prep. He’s open about that being a priority — more time filling in bubbles.
“Flexible Innovation to Improve Outcome”
I think this says that school committees will have a shot at $50 million for “innovation” that reflects their community. In other words, it’s another Race to the Top — dance to the tune we call, and we might give you back some of the money we took from your budget years ago. If you don’t dance, well, we rob from your kids (the race’s “losers”) to give to someone else’s.
“Maintaining Common Core Standards for All School Districts”
In a year when three states pulled out of Common Core, Avellone wants to double down on these ideas written by a former CFO who cut out literature because he didn’t like reading fiction as a kid.
“STEM” (Science/Tech Engineering and Math)
“My administration will aggressively work with schools to broaden the type of STEM curriculum offered.” Again, grammar isn’t Joe’s strong suit. But that’s okay, because English won’t matter anymore! That’s right, as long as you can do math and take orders, you’re a success in his eyes. If we’re expanding STEM we’re cutting something else…you know, readin’, writin’, thinkin’. An ability to appreciate good writing, art, or debate will be sidelined to develop skills that a computer will make obsolete by your tenth high school reunion. The last thing we want is these kids thinking on their own.
“Expanded Vocational-Technical Education – Hands on Learning”
Um…actually, he’s right on this one. Forcing students into titanic debt for a four-year liberal arts degree they neither want nor need is foolish, especially if they could pull down big bucks now doing work that can’t be outsourced.
I’ll conduct a more holistic read through of candidates’ plans in spring. For now, Avellone’s plan reads every bit as someone who told a consultant with friends in private industry to write it…and didn’t read it when they were done.
this time apparently school-superintendent general. I do not want to single out Avalone, they are all doing this.
Question to all of them: Are taxes and spending too scary? Infrastructure and cities and towns too boring?
Better figure out how to talk about that stuff if you want the job.