[Speed Gibson,
Tuesday November 14, 2006 at 12:39am]
The Biggest Losers
Swiftee crystallized a thought I was trying to put together.
Second, the near veto-proof (as if that matters with Governor Pawlenty) margins in the 2007 Legislature mean that the DFL's managing general partners at Education Minnesota will get most of the surplus, both directly via the budget and indirectly through property tax relief.
And third, the DFL clearly doesn't care about results. Admittedly, the GOP has said next to nothing about Minnesota's minority test score gaps, among the widest in the nation. But the DFL has said absolutely nothing. It's worse than that, actually. Those who attempt even modest reform are shown the door, as in Yecke, Jennings, Harvey, and Peebles.
So here's an issue where the Minnesota Republicans should step up, up to and including vouchers for nonperforming schools, perhaps even incentives to the parents as well if they do their part. This means student testing, with real consequences to protect the students currently being shortchanged by social promotion and grade inflation. This means merit pay for teachers that get results, pink slips for those who do not, just as in any other profession. It means more pay for harder to find science teachers than say, third grade teachers. It means the return of discipline and consequences. This means accurate, coherent, understandable budgeting to finally show where the money is really going, what it buys, and where it might be better spent.
If we succeed, it would mean that a high school diploma is worth something again, including a warranty that the district will compensate both the student and the college if remedial work is found to be needed.
Ironically, the GOP would never have to really do any of this for at least two years since any and all of these proposals will be dismissed in committees, all closely watched and competently "lobbied" by Education Minnesota. But until the GOP regains power, it makes for great talking points toward that end.
Finally, it opens a dialog in the large cities, which the GOP must continue to do, and do ever more so. The suburbs are no longer safe, we just learned. Milwaukee has had some success in this area, and minority parents are clearly displeased with Democrat attempts to scuttle it in the courts.
The GOP is the true party of "power to the people!" I can think of no better way to demonstrate it.
Look also for the end of any sort of accountability to accompany a blizzard of cash heading into the coffers of Education Minnesota; indeed kids stuck in the public schools may well be the biggest losers of this election.First, State Auditor elect Rebecca Otto doesn't know if the letters on a spreadsheet go across the top or down the side. As comedian Ron White might say, she has the right to audit school districts; she just doesn't have the ability.
Second, the near veto-proof (as if that matters with Governor Pawlenty) margins in the 2007 Legislature mean that the DFL's managing general partners at Education Minnesota will get most of the surplus, both directly via the budget and indirectly through property tax relief.
And third, the DFL clearly doesn't care about results. Admittedly, the GOP has said next to nothing about Minnesota's minority test score gaps, among the widest in the nation. But the DFL has said absolutely nothing. It's worse than that, actually. Those who attempt even modest reform are shown the door, as in Yecke, Jennings, Harvey, and Peebles.
So here's an issue where the Minnesota Republicans should step up, up to and including vouchers for nonperforming schools, perhaps even incentives to the parents as well if they do their part. This means student testing, with real consequences to protect the students currently being shortchanged by social promotion and grade inflation. This means merit pay for teachers that get results, pink slips for those who do not, just as in any other profession. It means more pay for harder to find science teachers than say, third grade teachers. It means the return of discipline and consequences. This means accurate, coherent, understandable budgeting to finally show where the money is really going, what it buys, and where it might be better spent.
If we succeed, it would mean that a high school diploma is worth something again, including a warranty that the district will compensate both the student and the college if remedial work is found to be needed.
Ironically, the GOP would never have to really do any of this for at least two years since any and all of these proposals will be dismissed in committees, all closely watched and competently "lobbied" by Education Minnesota. But until the GOP regains power, it makes for great talking points toward that end.
Finally, it opens a dialog in the large cities, which the GOP must continue to do, and do ever more so. The suburbs are no longer safe, we just learned. Milwaukee has had some success in this area, and minority parents are clearly displeased with Democrat attempts to scuttle it in the courts.
The GOP is the true party of "power to the people!" I can think of no better way to demonstrate it.