[speedgibson] Speed Gibson: Needed: A Real Minnesota Miracle

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Posted by Speed Gibson:
Needed: A Real Minnesota Miracle
http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1242341121.shtml


   Last month I declared that while I think local public school districts
   generally do the best they can, our schools are generally short of our
   expectations. I'm not saying that our School Boards can't do better,
   but [1]the overwhelming blame for our K-12 troubles belongs to the
   Minnesota Legislature. I ended asking, "what are the public schools to
   do?" I answered "Do what you can, within the myriad of regulations.
   And one other thing ..."
   The rather wandering, unfocused Editorial in today's Minneapolis Star
   Tribune titled "[2]Considering a new 'Miracle' for schools" prompts me
   to now drop that other shoe. The School Boards of Minnesota must come
   to grips with the fact that the Minnesota Legislature is far less
   committed to K-12 education as they once were. There is no point in
   meekly asking, "Please sir, I want some more."
   We do need a new Minnesota Miracle for education in this State. Not a
   cobbled patchwork of tax increases, but one forged of resolution, a
   new dedication to excellence. Give our children a total, competent
   educational experience like I was fortunate to receive many decades
   ago, one that may or may not be more expensive than today. That was
   the purpose of the original Minnesota Miracle, initially successful
   but as the Editorial notes, "different administrative philosophies on
   state spending and economic downturns chipped away at [it]." While the
   shift to more state funding is still largely there, the commitment was
   lost some years ago, and not just financially.
   The Legislature seems almost uninterested in K-12 education these
   days. I'd rate it number 4 or 5, but of course, the DFL never really
   sets priorities these days. It's just some number of billions to
   pencil in the budget somewhere. Any remaining commitment by the
   Legislature (or the Governor) to academic improvement left town with
   Cheri Yecke.
   This used to be the DFL's top issue, even if they did earn a
   reputation as being a subsidiary of Education Minnesota. Now,
   socialized medicine, transportation and local government aid top their
   leader board, maybe even higher education. Their leaders don't talk
   about it much, largely leaving it to back-benchers like Rep. Mindy
   Greiling. Sure, they're talking about it, the Administration's talking
   about it, but it's light without heat. There's no passion for
   progress, no outrage for failure.
   School Board members should ask themselves why they bother to send
   delegations to plead for funding. Truth is, the bus is traveling in
   the wrong direction. It is our Representatives and Senators that
   should be traveling, visiting their constituent districts. It is our
   Senators and Representatives that we must hold accountable.
   Money won't be enough. More money seems to cause failure, if anything.
   Mostly what our districts need is freedom. Freedom from complex and
   unstable funding. Freedom from unnecessary regulations and
   second-guessing. Freedom to pursue excellence as the parents best see
   fit, which may include private alternatives or home schooling.
   Many years ago, I worked all night to cajole the near impossible out
   of my overworked mainframe computer to get out the monthly financial
   reports due that morning. I came up about three hours short. The Chief
   Financial Officer took me aside, thanked me for my extraordinary
   effort, but suggested I take no consolation in that effort per se. I
   had still failed. It wasn't a threat, just some good mentoring that
   gave me the right perspective going forward. I was never late again.
   That's the sort of no excuses commitment I expect in the next
   Minnesota Miracle. If at first you don't succeed, the next person we
   hire or elect will.

References

   1. http://speedgibson.powerblogs.com/posts/1240715415.shtml
   2. http://www.startribune.com/opinion/editorials/44932682.html?elr=KArksc8P:Pc:UthPacyPE7iUiD3aPc:_Yyc:aULPQL7PQLanchO7DiUr