Network Schools – Wayne Gerseny to https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/04/03/magazine/thomas-piketty-interview u w B l.html?h I’ll smid=url-share the Is for

apple.news/AZCotpDVdQZesGPNj8X8Iug

This Axios article decries the lack of leadership coming from Washington DC in response to the impact of the pandemic on public schools and champions the work being done by (gulp) Arne Duncan and Margaret Spellings to fill the leadership gap. I could write a long screed on why this is a horrible idea… but the reality is that as architects of NCLB and RTTT Spellings and Duncan DID provide leadership and direction to the States and consequently to ALL public schools: pass the standardized tests or make way for privatization. This direction drove us to a place where most schools are now identified as “failing” and nothing has been changed since they were in charge in terms of economic or racial justice. Worse, NCLB and RTTT set the stage for Betsy DeVos to make a compelling case for vouchers, bringing a fringe idea into the mainstream. The only way out of the ditch we’ve driven into is a new and different vehicle , a much clearer roadmap, and a destination that can be reached by ALL students.