The Atlanta Board of Education announced earlier today that it was not extending the contract of its superintendent.
Ed Johnson has been an outspoken critic in Atlanta of the drive for privatization and the behaviorist methods that have been in favor in Atlanta since the arrival of the late Superintendent Be early Hall, who literally drove teachers, principals, and students to produce higher test scores with promises of rewards and threats of punishment. Hall’s tenure ended badly.
Ed Johnson warned about the fruitless pursuit of miracles and quick fixes.
This was his response to today’s news.
It is the sound of wisdom.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Rhetorically, is Ed Johnson describing the mindset of the Manhattan Institute (Koch-linked)?
I agree that schools cannot be “fixed.” They can be improved, but the improvement is not necessarily a focus on test scores. A smaller class size, a full-time nurse, librarian, music teacher, a clean well-maintained building, an adequate library, and supplies for teachers all improve the quality of education. These supports should be in all schools, not just those in the suburbs. If students are exposed to a rich curricula and provided with support, they will do better. It is more important to improve graduation rates than performance on bubble tests. A high school diploma gives students access to jobs and any other post high school education opportunities.
Gates should focus on the “jobs” component.
What has he created in the past twenty years that resulted in a NET increase in jobs available, discounting his brigade with marching orders to undermine democracy?
Ed Johnson lays out why Carstaphen had to go in terms that clearly explain why those opposed to her tenure wanted to see her gone. Thank you.