Posted on 04/02/2009 9:45:28 AM PDT by reaganaut1
The NYT reports that during a press phone call yesterday, Education Secretary Arne Duncan "unleashed a barrage of dismal statistics about the South Carolina schools" whose Governor, Mark Sanford "has told the Obama administration that he would not accept some $577 million in educational stimulus money for South Carolina unless he could use it to pay down state debt."
During the putative barrage of dismal statistics Duncan noted that "only 15 percent of the state’s black students are proficient in math and that the state has one of the nation’s worst high school graduation rates."
This is a pot kettle black moment.
Duncan, who up until he was tapped by the Obama administration, served as CEO of Chicago Public Schools. Why don't we take a look at how well the Chicago Public Schools has fared under Duncan's astute management?
In 2007, only 10% of 4th Grade black students in Chicago tested at the proficient level in Reading. (Table A-5) And, only 9% of 8th Grade black students tested at the proficient level. (Table A-6)
In 2007, only 8% of 4th Grade black students in Chicago tested at the proficient level in Math. (Table A-5) And, only 6% of 8th Grade black students tested at the proficient level. (Table A-6)
These dismal results were obtained with spending of between $13k - $14k per pupil -- far higher than what South Carolina spends. Apparently, how much a district spends has little to do with how well it educates.
Now there goes some performance information on our public schools that is "embarrassing."
(Excerpt) Read more at d-edreckoning.blogspot.com ...
Speaking with reporters in a conference call, Mr. Duncan inadvertently demonstrated how the information collected from states could be used to try to shame educators and public officials into making changes.
Gov. Mark Sanford of South Carolina, a Republican who advocates issuing taxpayer-financed vouchers that parents can use to send their children to private schools, has told the Obama administration that he would not accept some $577 million in educational stimulus money for South Carolina unless he could use it to pay down state debt.
Mr. Duncan unleashed a barrage of dismal statistics about the South Carolina schools, noting that only 15 percent of the state’s black students are proficient in math and that the state has one of the nation’s worst high school graduation rates.
“Those are heartbreaking results; those are children who will never have a chance to compete,” Mr. Duncan said. “For South Carolina to stand on the sidelines and say that the status quo is O.K., that defies logic.”
Joel Sawyer, a spokesman for Mr. Sanford, said the governor had declined to accept some of the stimulus money because he believed that the spending authorized by the law would eventually force the federal government to increase taxes and devalue the dollar. Mr. Sanford would not quibble with Mr. Duncan’s portrayal of South Carolina schools, Mr. Sawyer said.
“What we quibble with,” he said, “is whether spending an ever-increasing amount on education will fix the problem.”
Maybe Governor Sandord should suggest the fund he declines be used in the CHICAGO PUBLIC SCHOOLS ... or the DC PUBLIC SCHOOLs which are unable to attract students like the Obama children
Obama trying to “shame” Sanford like he promised he would...
Sadly, SC school test scores are so low because the African-American scores are factored in and the black community is 30% of the state population.
We can also dismiss the notion that federal dollars are tied to school performance.
Come on, Gov. Sanford. Why not point out that students in South Carolina do better in reading and math than Chicago students, at half the cost?
If you plan on being the GOP standard bearer in ‘10, you will have to get much quicker on defense. We’ve had enough Mr. Nice Guys who can’t effectively answer Dem attacks.
For some reason every time the issue of education comes up the ONLY solution offered by dems is MORE MONEY. They can not tell you what the money will be used for, or how spending more money will fix the problem.
Then when they get extra money they waste it because they don't do a serious analysis of what is needed to improve education.
When my kids were in high school, the school got a large some of extra money from the govt. there plan to use the money was to put 5 computers in every classroom. So at open house 5 months later we see 5 computers in boxes in the band room and the choir room. There was no analysis if what the best solution was. Some lazy jackass came up with this stupid plan because it was easy. And everyone went along because it was easy.
Money is not the answer. Stop wasting money on crap and teach kids what they need to function in the workforce. They can figure out the social crap on there own.
Right libtard, so why give these failing school more money to waste? Let the taxpayers spend their money on private schools. At least private schools can do much more with the money than public obviously.
Let me see if I understand this. Arne Duncan’s argument is that shoving Monopoly money up South Carolina’s ass somehow makes black people smarter. Got it.
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