There’s finally some hope for Lawrence’s perpetually troubled schools. The state, which pays close to 90 percent of school costs there, has taken over the district; Jeff Riley, who has proved his mettle in other education reform efforts, has been appointed to lead the turnaround; Riley has developed a bold plan that, in June, was approved by Commissioner of Education Mitchell Chester.
That plan calls for two existing schools (one elementary, one middle) to be managed by successful charter school operators; for another charter operator to bring its tutoring program into two high schools; and for the creation of a new academy for at-risk students. School days would be longer, and principals would have broad powers to select their faculties.
Comments
A recent cheating scandal in Los Angeles involving charter schools should give all pause as we hand over more schools to private corporations that are more beholden to their stockholders than the students or parents. The Globe has signed onto the charter school bandwagon when study after study shows it is not a panacea. So much for believing in data. But we all know what the real agenda is...break teacher unions and crush the middle class.
Lawrence --you are in good hands. The same editorial writers who weigh in on the BPS while knowing little are now going to 'help' in the LPS. HAVE to admire their chutzpah. The union can speak but Chester Riley Has total control and power. By the way, does anyone remember the original Chester Riley, that is, Chester A Riley? Pardon the digression. In any event, the union in their world is allowed to have 'input' provided we agree in advance that Chester A Riley won't be bound by that input. How very patronizing. Do you know what Chester A Riley would suggest they could store their input?
Last week, the Globe published an editorial singing the praises of Roger Fisher and many successful agreements resulting from principled negotiation. Ever since, we have read one recommendation after another that the positions and the interests of teachers be overridden in negotiations. I trust that anyone who dares refer to "Getting to Yes" as "hokey" has at least read the introduction. In trying to craft a workable agreement for everyone, the interests of teachers cannot be ignored.
The writer owes it to the readers to describe exactly how Jeff Riley has proven "his mettle in other education reform efforts". It certainly wasn't while employed by the BPS.