Now that Commissioner Pryor has the go-ahead from Governor Malloy to apply the principles of corporate education reform, he has loaded up the payroll of the state education department with his fellow reformers. Here comes the privatization movement, prepared to bust unions, demoralize teachers, and generate profits for friends of the movement.
Naturally, there is a Talent Officer, a Turnaround Officer, a Performance Manager, and a bevy of Broad interns. This in one of the nation’s top performing states.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
In the past, states competed for business and residents based on their educational system and its reputation. One day, soon, I hope they’ll compete on how “public” their system is and how they welcome parents, teachers, and students in the educational process without the corporate crap. One day soon…I hope.
Great news on Monica Ratliff from LA! Bad news from CT–all the Broadies filling educ posts with little experience, amounts to a stealth coup, forcing centrist govt admin out of office via big money and replacing them with right-wing crypto-corporate hacks. The stealth coup of the billionaires was blocked in LA, stopped in Seattle, stalemated in Chicago by CTU and lawsuits, countered in NYC by Leonie Haimson and her nonstop advocacy for smaller classes, and faces smart opposition from the amazing students of Providence. This stealth coup is a culture war checkerboard of gains, losses, and ongoing battles. Can we brainstorm other resources for high-profile battles? More on-the-ground advocates?
A “talent officer”? Sounds like they are running a strip club. These are some sick puppies.
We have one in DC. Talent. That’s the term used to refer to talking heads and newscasters. Since we’ll be following a script pretty soon, that’s what we’ll be.
Why not refer to educators as “talent. Personally (and others may disagree), I like chief talent officer better than chief of human resources.
Either “human resources” or “talent officer” are ok – but my preference is to refer to educators working with students as “talent” rather than as “human resources.”
Supreme commander of work force? Or, maybe change RIF to RIT, reduction in talent. Oh well, tomato-tomahto.
Joe,
Both “human resources” and “talent” officer are abhorrent abuses of the English language and of the human spirit. What about good ol’ “personnel” department?
Duane
Mark, many states are seeking to increase the number of students who enter for some form of higher education – a one, two or four program. We’re doing a webinar right now with the Mn Dept of Education to help more families, students and educators understand “Dual Credit” courses. Many district and charter public schools are increasing the number of these courses.
One overall goal is to help more young people graduate from some form of higher education – a one, two or four year program.
Another is to have more young people who feel they can, and should, help work for a more just world.
Hope we’ll be able to help produce more young people who have those skills, knowledge, insight and passion.
If you sincerely wanted a more just world, you wouldn’t be pushing union busting charters that divert resources from public schools and turn education over to private interests.
The majority of public school teachers are fast learning to watch what charter supporters actually do, rather than accept their empty rhetoric and clichés at face value.
Michael, there are a vast array of charters, as there are district public schools. Part of our work is to honor and encourage outstanding educators from both kinds of schools.
Here’s an example:
http://www.educationnews.org/k-12-schools/coalition-focusing-on-boys-of-color-honors-outstanding-public-schools/
Here’s also an example of criticism I made of StudentsFirst.
http://hometownsource.com/2013/01/09/improvements-needed-but-minnesota-school-reform-efforts-dont-deserve-a-d/
I’m fine with judging people on what they do, rather than what they say.
“One overall goal is to help more young people graduate from some form of higher education – a one, two or four year program.” NO!! That goal is a sub-goal not an overall goal.
What is the primary purpose of public education? Where can that information be found? (hint: there are at least 50 sources)
“Another is to have more young people who feel they can, and should, help work for a more just world.” Again, that is a sub-goal, albeit, a rather good one at that.
Good God. You would think they would at least veil their cookie cutter approach to “reform” we have the same offices and same titles here in LAUSD. I am hoping that we are moving back in the direction of sanity soon here with our new Mayor and a board that isn’t bought by Broad and Gates.
I’d bet my last dollar that not one of these “reformers” has had any experience with actually teaching children. The good news is that no one I have spoken with here in CT would ever vote for Malloy again. The bad news is that he might actually be better than what’s coming down the pike.
I know, scary thought. What’s our alternative? The Republicans who just got caught up in the bribery scandal? If they thought the “roll your own cigarette” people could dish out the cash, wait till they get into the Ed Rheeformy Biz.
Of course Connecticut is one of the top performing states. It has been for a long time. Education reform in Connecticut is and always has been about money! Gov. Malloy is a spoiled brat who even as mayor of Stamford does nothing without money being the end game, so it is not surprising that this same tactic he would use as governor.
I will be a one term Governor that he can count on.