“Just Words” Of The Day
President Obama claimed he chose his Secretary of Education because of the outstanding achievements made by the Chicago Public School system.
“When it comes to school reform, Arne is the most hands-on of hands-on practitioners,” Obama said, making the announcement at a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan’s leadership. “He’s not beholden to any one ideology, and he’s worked tirelessly to improve teacher quality.”
— 12/16/08
Unfortunately (as is the case more and more with the president) what we were told doesn’t quite match what really happened….
New research from a Chicago civic group takes direct aim at the city’s “abysmal” public high school performance — and puts a new spin on the academic gains made during the seven years that Arne Duncan led the Chicago schools before he was named U.S. Education secretary.
The Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago, a supporter of Duncan and Chicago Mayor Richard M. Daley’s push for more control of city schools, issued the report June 30. It says city schools have made little progress since 2003. Its key findings stand in stark contrast to assertions President Obama made in December when he nominated Duncan as Education secretary.
Of course, USA Today took the opportunity to remind us that George W. Bush’s education nominee also had questionable qualifying numbers as well. You know, everybody does it.
July 13th, 2009 at 11:13 am
Ever stop to think that Arne got exactly the kind of results that Obama et all desire?
Failure.
July 13th, 2009 at 5:17 pm
“a school that he said has made remarkable progress under Duncan’s leadership”
“research from a Chicago civic group takes direct aim at the city’s “abysmal” public high school performance … during the seven years that Arne Duncan led the Chicago schools”
Ouch! That’s got to hurt.
“The Civic Committee of The Commercial Club of Chicago, a supporter of Duncan”
Ooh… Subversion from within. This is getting interesting. This calls for a BS intervention. What should we call it… maybe Chicago-gate, nah to general. Then maybe we should call it Duncan-gate, a subset of the pervasive Obama-gate. BS… no lie too great, no regression too distant.
“USA Today took the opportunity to remind us”
Can we PLEASE focus on the problem at hand!? Is that too much to ask. Focus people… Focus! We’re not getting any younger.
Are we having fun, yet?
July 14th, 2009 at 1:06 am
I’m not getting any younger but I am starting to get a few more giggles a day than I used too!!! And I’m praying for that number to jump exponentially from now on.