Speed Gibson

Minneapolis School Superintendent Dr. Bill Green and School Board Chair Pam Costain appeared on TPT's Almanac this week, talking of the coming changes. I will say that they are at least saying things that no previous administration would have dared. They both seem very committed to finally closing the various achievement gaps, particularly the racial gap (per Green and Costain). They seem determined not to fail like the previous $500 million effort did 20 years ago or so.

I also must say that they laid it on a little thick, claiming that everyone was on board with the new direction, including the city, the parents, and local business leaders. It's one thing to be optimistic. In fact, a little hyperbole and spin wouldn't be out of line given the dire situation, but they went long a couple of times.

"We are looking at partners who have a proven track record, who employ the same kind of accountability measures that we insist [on] in our own classrooms." --Green

"We have extremely strong teachers in Minneapolis. Sometimes the suburbs steal our teachers, they're that strong." — Costain

We can smirk a little, but let's also be quick to support Minneapolis if it truly breaks ranks to incorporate concepts like accountability and choice.