[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Irrational exuberance?

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Irrational exuberance?
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1197845720.shtml


   Minneapolis School Superintendent Dr. Bill Green and School Board
   Chair Pam Costain appeared on TPT's Almanac this week, talking of the
   coming changes. I will say that they are at least saying things that
   no previous administration would not. They both seem very committed to
   finally closing the various achievement gaps, particularly the racial
   gap (per Green and Costain). They seem determined not to fail like the
   previous $500 million effort did 20 years ago or so.
   I also must say that they laid it on a little thick, claiming that
   everyone was on board with the new direction, including the city, the
   parents, and local business leaders. It's one thing to be optimistic.
   In fact, a little hyperbole and spin wouldn't be out of line given the
   dire situation, but they went long a couple of times.

     "We are looking at partners who have a proven track record, who
     employ the same kind of accountability measures that we insist [on]
     in our own classrooms." --Green
     "We have extremely strong teachers in Minneapolis. Sometimes the
     suburbs steal our teachers, they're that strong." -- Costain

   We can smirk a little, but let's also be quick to support Minneapolis
   if it truly breaks ranks to incorporate concepts like accountability
   and choice.