Thursday, April 18, 2013

Does Anyone Setting Education Policy in NY State Send Their Kids to Public School?



We have an interesting conundrum in the state of New York when it comes to education policy. Not one of the three most powerful people who are shaping public education in this state, Governor Andrew Cuomo, Board of Regents Chair Merryl Tisch, and State Education Commissioner John King send their children to public schools

Is it any wonder that public schools administrators, teachers, and parents are the last ones they consult when determining how many, and which tests to administer in the state's public schools, and how those tests should be used.

Their approach represents paternalism at its best, and insider dealing at its worst, as the policies they have instituted bring huge profits to test companies and consulting firms which can be the source of political contributions. high paying jobs, and board of director positions to public servants who help them get state contracts.

One other thing should be kept in mind, and this hails back to the "interlocking directorates" that social critics discovered among Captains of Industry at the end of the 19th and the beginning of the 20th Century. And that has to do with elite social networking. The schools our state education leaders send their children to are the same ones that CEO's of big companies send their children to. And the places they go for vacation are the same ones those CEO's frequent.

This is yet another reason why our high public servants, when they have a chance to appoint an Education Commission, choose CEO's over teachers, principals and parents every time. They are picking their friends and future business partners

Do you think I am being paranoid here? Or am I describing important underlying conditions for the Test Catastrophe which has descended upon our schools?

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