Did anyone see Morning Joe - talking about education

[proud2BlibKansan]

I took some rough notes.

Steven Brill of the NY Times was a guest discussing an article he wrote recently. For a cover piece. (I think he said NYT Magazine)

Education is already upending traditional Democratic party politics.

Race to the Top is a threat to teachers and unions.

Think tanks research shows what really matters most is talent in front of the classroom.

Unions disagree - pay and resources matter more.

Alumni of Teach for America are now running schools. Network has been building and TFA alums pose a threat to established forces, including teachers unions.

Joe tried to say charters are doing better - argued with Brill who said not all charters are better. Joe admits charters across US don't perform as well. But NYC is doing better. Reporter argues with Joe, finally says "let's not quibble" and goes on to say NYC supervises their charters well. Holds them accountable.

Charters in NYC prove charters can spend less per student and do a better job.

$10,000 per pupil in traditional NYC schools, $6700 in charters. It's not about resources.

It's about how you allocate resources and the talent in the front of the classroom.

Discussion with Bob Woodward - Politically, Obama has been tough on unions. Is this wise since 93% of NEA's money goes to Dems, 99% of AFT's money goes to Democrats.

In DC, charters spend 60 cents for every dollar traditional schools spend.

Sharpton and Gingrich are on the same page. We have a short window of opportunity for changing schools. Joe asks if Obama is going to go against unions.

Obama admin is looking at this as a budget reform issue. Expect them to be tough on this and push RTTT.

Sorry I need to get ready to go to work so these are rough notes. Lots of talking points though and as usual, Joe tries to make a reporter say what he wanted him to say but for once, this reporter challenged him.

[Jim__]

1. TFA? I realize this is in the Education FOrum, but right now it's on the Latest Page.

I don't know what TFA is. Can someone tell me? Thanks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Teach for America

Sorry, we all know that acronym here in this forum.

[Orlandodem]

7. If it means Obama loses in 2012, so be it. He will pay if he keeps this up.

All Dems will pay because teachers are pissed. If teachers walk out on Obama, you can turn the lights out because the party is over.

[robinblue]

3. Arne Duncan via the WH is a threat to public education. Simple as that.

[proud2BlibKansan]

4. Agreed

But Arne is in the drivers seat and no one is going to take the keys away. Unfortunately.

[tonysam]

5. With all the talk about TFAs, I have NEVER heard a single argument

justifying WHY kids in inner cities should have less experienced, less qualified teachers than those in the suburbs.

Of course the mentality behind TFA is inner-city kids are "losers" and will never amount to much, so why spend a lot of money on them or on teachers?

[mzteris]

6. no - actually just the freaking opposite

that INNER CITY KIDS are getting short shrift as they have always gotten - and they DESERVE BETTER. Some of the best graduates in their classses in the country. instead of people who were recruited form the bottom third of their highschool graduating classes.

[Hannah Bell]

8. i see, experienced black & hispanic inner-city teachers are dolts from the bottom third,

& the white 23-year-old ivy-leaguers will show them how its done. before they move on to goldman sachs and the foundation world. because everyone knows trust-fund brats do everything better.

are you for real?