Chicago schools report contradicts Obama and Duncan

[LWolf]

By Greg Toppo, USA TODAY

<snip>



New research from a Chicago civic group takes direct aim at the city's "abysmal" public high school performance — and puts a new spin on the academic gains made during the seven years that Arne Duncan led the Chicago schools before he was named U.S. Education secretary.

The Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago, a supporter of Duncan and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley's push for more control of city schools, issued the report June 30. It says city schools have made little progress since 2003.

Its key findings stand in stark contrast to assertions President Obama made in December when he nominated Duncan as Education secretary.

<snip>

Blogger Alexander Russo, who writes about Chicago schools, says the findings show that nearly 15 years into mayoral control, the city school system "isn't nearly as improved as many have been led to believe."

"What I find particularly appalling is that Duncan and Obama — supposed champions of transparency and using research rather than ideology — have cited Chicago's inflated test scores, even though they knew the increases were exaggerated."

http://www.usatoday.com/news/education/2009-07-12-chicagoschools13_N.htm/

There's nothing here I didn't already know. It's interesting to see it reach a bigger audience with USA today.

[FrenchieCat]

1. I don't find it interesting that USA today would put out a smear

On this President and his Education Secretary.

The Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago

[LWolf]

2. I find it fascinating

that you found the time away from GDP to visit the lowly ed forum, "coincidentally" moments after an article critical of Obama showed up.

:rofl:

"The Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago;"

What about them? Do you have something to add?

I do. In fact, this would make a good OP all by itself; I'll keep that in mind:

http://www.fairtest.org/critical-analysis-citizens-commission-civil-rights

[FrenchieCat]

7. I read the "latest discussion" threads headlines page as my default when I come to DU.

In otherwords, I do what many other DU posters do;
respond to OPs that are interesting to me.
Do you have a problem with that?

Considering USA Today's reputation, I found your OP interesting,
especially since I consider you the ultimate anti-status quo poster here at DU.
I'm not naive enough to only consider the message......
I look at the messenger (USA Today), as one can most times find an agenda,
be it good or bad or neutral, behind the reasons that an article may appear
in any given media and/or blog.

[LWolf]

8. Nope.

No problem, just fascination. What was it that attracted you to a forum I don't remember you ever gracing before?

The topic, or the poster, who you've obviously developed a bias against?

USA today's rep? I make no claims, other than that it is national and mainstream, which usually doesn't print anything critical of the status quo.

[FrenchieCat]

9. I don't "go" to certain forums......

I go here --=> http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/

Whatever topic of interest I read, I may opt to participate.

I did find the headline to be "smearlike", which I admit raised my curiosity.

Also I teach part-time at a Preschool, and have a kid who just graduated from Harvard and
is about to start in the PHD program at WASHU, and another kid who just transfered to UCB in her 2nd year....so yes, Education does concern me.

But if I may ask,
who made you the fucking DU "why does FrenchieCat do what she does" patrol person? :wtf:

[LWolf]

10. My, my.

Your bias is showing again.

I don't think noticing a change from regular patterns, and asking you directly about it, is "patrolling" anything. Simple curiosity. I tend to be a lot more blunt and straightforward about who I am, and where I'm coming from, than is popular in politics. You've noticed that.

What is "smear-like" to you? Anything that reflects poorly on Obama? A headline that points out someone contradicting Obama is not "smear-like."
Criticizing is not the same thing as "smearing."

I'm sorry you don't get that.

[FrenchieCat]

11. You can satisfy your curiosity and your fascination about me

by doing a advance search on my posting name.

As for what a smear is, I have my own pre-requisite, but thank you for letting me know what yours are. Funny how folks don't all think the same, ain't it?

As for my bias, we all have them, even you.

I'm kind of done with you and what you have decided is so.....
but thanks for your inquisitive conversation.

[LWolf]

12. You're welcome. nt

[timeforpeace]

3. All this was known when he made the appointment.

[LWolf]

5. Yes.

Yet there was no Democratic rally opposing his nomination then, and there isn't much opposition to his imposition of bad policy now.

Why do you think that is?

[Smarmie Doofus]

15. People don't focus on and therefore.... don't understand....

... educational issues.

I was talking to an ex-public school employee, fairly politically sophisticated, liberal-DEM friend over the weekend. She thought Duncan was a good pick because he had experience as a public school teacher and wasn't simply a corporate zombie or diletante .... like previous Secs of Ed.

I really think if people don't understand school culture and/or don't have kids in the system RIGHT NOW, they tend to put this stuff on the psychological back burner.

[LWolf]

16. I don't know where she got the idea he was ever a teacher.

He's never taught a classroom.

He was a basketball player. When he quit playing basketball, he became a director of an investment fund that partially funded a public school in Chicago. He went on from there to become the "CEO" of Chicago schools.

No education background.

People DO tend to put education on the back burner. I think it's a big mistake. A few decades of that, and we've got a nation of voters, but not a nation of thinkers. That's a dangerous combination.

[Smarmie Doofus]

17. She got the idea because it would seem *logical* to appoint a teacher.

>>>>>>>He's never taught a classroom.

He was a basketball player. When he quit playing basketball, he became a director of an investment fund that partially funded a public school in Chicago. He went on from there to become the "CEO" of Chicago schools.

No education background. >>>>>>>>>


What do you mean? His mother ran a tutoring service. It's called osmosis. He absorbed everything he needed to be Sec of Ed by hanging out with his mom.

[LWolf]

18. Of course. Osmosis is better than actual training and experience.

Every time. :silly:

[madrchsod]

4. well duh..common knowledge here in northern illinois....

but chicago schools have more problems than just arne`s testing instead of educating.

the majority of school aged kids in chicago know of relatives,friends, or school mates that have been effected by violence. most kids have experienced at least one form of violence either going to,in,or going home from school. these are the kids who go to school, this does`t count the school age kids who no longer attend. more than 35 school age kids were murdered this school year in chicago and only a few were not from gunfire.

[LWolf]

6. I have long said

that the best "reform" of education would be a wholesale elimination of poverty, and an investment in making sure that ALL neighborhoods in the nation were safe, healthy, and affordable.

Not that there isn't plenty of room for AUTHENTIC reform of the PUBLIC school system.

Just that, if you don't address the bottom of Maslow's hierarchy FIRST, all the reform in the world on upper levels of that pyramid will go nowhere.

[Dinger]

13. Duncan Can Kiss My Ass

As far as Obama, well, he has time yet. I still find it curious he picked that union-busting, corporate-loving, teacher-hating asshole duncan't. MAybe one of these days, he'll tell us why.

[LWolf]

14. Mine as well, lol.

The Duncan pick was guaranteed to ensure that he still "gets in trouble with teachers," as he happily pointed out in that FOX interview a couple of years ago.

Does it help his credibility with the corporatists of both parties to offend teachers?

[Hannah Bell]

19. the "Chicago civic group" is the primary developer & promoter of the ren 2010 "reform".

Don't be fooled; they're saying the traditional public schools are "still failing" - & the answer is - more charter schools!