Peter Greene turns his attention to Rhode Island and finds that it has been subject to a corporate education reform takeover.
Not only is the governor a former venture capitalist who made her reputation by taking an axe to teachers’ pensions, but her husband Andy Moffitt is a TFA alum who moved on to McKinsey. Not only that, he co-authored a book with Michael Barber of Pearson about “Deliverology,” a philosophy that turns education into data analytics.
Governor Gina Raimondo hired a TFA alum to lead the State Education Department; the new Commissioner immediately joined Jen Bush’s far-rightwing Chiefs for Change and led a state takeover of Providence schools. There is no template for a successful state takeover, so we will see how that goes. Think Tennessee’s failed Achievement School District, funded with $100 million from Duncan’s Race to the Top. Think Michigan’s Education Achievement Authority, which closed after six of boasts but consistent failure.
Read Greene’s incisive review of the First Couple of Rhode Island and remember that Governor Gina Raimondo is a Democrat, though it’s hard to differentiate her views from those of Betsy DeVos.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Another GREAT post from Mr. Greene! And, love his coinage of “pandemess” near the end of his essay. Greene is a clear thinking and a wonderful writer.
“Andy Moffitt is a TFA alum who moved on to McKinsey. Not only that, he co-authored a book with Michael Barber of Pearson about “Deliverology,” a philosophy that turns education into data analytics.”
Perfect ed reform resume, especially the made-up, nonsense word.
“Philosophy” gives it WAY too much credit. At best these ed reform works could fill a one day business seminar.
Back in reality-land, my son goes back to his public school next Wednesday and everyone’s really anxious. Hopeful! They are, after all, kids so they hope, but they’re anxious.
We still haven’t received any assistance at all from the tens of thousands of federal and state employees we’re paying, but that’s okay because no one in a public school expects anything out of any of them anyway- they haven’t done anything for our kids in the last 20 years. Last I checked they were “reinventing” our schools again. They have made themselves irrelevant.
Don’t forget,the reformers got a head start with Gist and the $75M Race to the Bottom funds.
Yes.
“Deliverology”? Yeesh.
R.I. is like other states for example Ohio, where public education is undermined by Catholic power structures (Ohio Catholic Conference) and, elected and appointed Catholics (Sen. Matt Huffman).
Raimondo’s state is 46% Catholic. A progressive agenda has its work cut out for it there, not because of the people but, because church and elected government officials thwart it.
Bishop Tobin of Providence lamented, after Harris’ selection, that the Democratic ticket lacked a Catholic. As Tobin well knows, Biden is Catholic. Presumably, Tobin’s drumming up support for Trump. (Reportedly, N.Y.’s Bishop Dolan will give the opening prayer at Trump’s convention. On a prior occasion, Dolan praised Trump’s leadership. And, Knights of Columbus rolled out the red carpet for a Trump photo op.)
Anecdotally-based, IMO, both religion and upper socio-economic status of Catholic neoliberal Dems like Gina and, similar Republicans make them feel entitled. They employ manipulation to achieve their goals, in particular, they are adept at a tribalism.