Education: the economic downturn scapegoat

by David Safier If you haven't worked in education for decades like I have, you may not have noticed, but it's as predictable as the sunrise. Whenever there's an economic downturn, bad schools are blamed as the culprit and education reform becomes a huge issue. It's no coincidence that the problems with education are making … Read more

The lure of charters and other educational “reforms”

by David Safier Imagine you're a parent in Compton, CA, with your children attending a public school rife with all the inner city problems like poor test scores, low high school graduation and major discipline problems. If the principal, district superintendent and teachers' union tell you to be patient, that they're working on the problem, … Read more

The comic stylings of G.I.’s Matthew Ladner

by David Safier The good news is, Goldwater Institute's Matthew Ladner is turning into a pitiable study in self parody and should no longer be taken seriously by anyone. The bad news is, you have to learn to appreciate the man's subtle comic stylings to realize what a buffoon he is, and since most people … Read more

This can’t be good

by David Safier Michelle Rhee gained national recognition as Chancellor of Washington, D.C., schools, then got kicked out when her mayor-supporter lost in November. She's a wildly pro testing, wildly anti-union "reformer" who was the darling of conservatives as well as a number of more progressive types who, I like to think, don't know enough … Read more

One reason (of many) you shouldn’t trust Florida achievement scores

by David Safier As Goldwater Institute’s Matthew Ladner never tires of pointing out, Florida’s 4th grade reading scores on the NAEP, the national achievement test which is about the best thing we have to compare state achievement, have improved faster than most states since Florida embarked on its reforms in 2002. But lots of people, … Read more