Why schools don't deliver

The post office is a disappointment not because its managers and employees are stupid, but rather because Congress runs it. In the December issue of Perspective, Greg Forster discusses the parallels between mail delivery and education delivery.

Oklahoma teachers may be trained to avoid getting personal with students

Janelle Stecklein has the story.

Teachers who sexually abuse students still find classroom jobs

"Despite decades of scandals," USA Today reports, "America's schools still hide actions of dangerous educators."

Non-teaching staff surge prevented Oklahoma teacher pay raises

Economist Benjamin Scafidi explains today in The Oklahoman.

NEA complains of teacher shortage

… in 1921.

Feds to investigate Piedmont schools over disability discrimination

Red Dirt Report has the story.

Paternalistic educators think parents are too stupid to come in out of the rain

Condescending educators have been on a roll lately. A teacher union boss in Tennessee tells PBS: "I don’t think they [parents] have the full understanding and exposure of what a proper, adequate education is for their children…I am saying that some parents are not capable of determining venues that will be most advantageous for their children, and that is a fact."

Meanwhile in Tulsa, school bureaucrat Deb Gist fretted to the Tulsa World that "she was the 'point person' for vouchers when she was state superintendent of the Washington D.C. public schools and that experience left her with the lingering concern that 'you had no way of ensuring the (private) school a family was choosing was better than the one they were leaving.'"

Despite financial 'crisis,' district pays superintendent to go away

"Broken Arrow is doing nothing to boost faith in the system for those who question the financial management of Oklahoma schools," the state's largest newspaper editorializes today.

In May, Broken Arrow school officials cut $7.39 million and eliminated dozens of teaching positions. Just a few weeks ago, Superintendent Jarod Mendenhall declared school finances were in a “real crisis.” Yet now school officials have abruptly announced Mendenhall will vacate his job in the middle of the school year, and the school will pay him nearly $103,100, plus the cost of health insurance, to leave 2 1/2 years early. Supposedly, this was a “mutual” agreement, not a technical firing. Despite evidence to the contrary, Broken Arrow officials insist Mendenhall is in “good standing.” Yet two things are clear: The school's finances are not so dire that officials can't find more than $100,000, and school officials are also willing to pay a high price to show Mendenhall the door.

Test scores aren't everything

Interesting insights from Sand Springs school administrator Rob Miller this week:

How have we been hoodwinked into believing that a child’s performance on a multiple choice test on one day each year could actually serve as an accurate or reliable proxy for later life outcomes we care about—like graduating from high school, going to college, getting a job, earning a good living, being a good community member, raising a family, staying out of jail, etc.? 

Because, you know, they’re not. 

In fact, several research studies have finally pointed out the disconnect between test scores and life success. If you have some time, I encourage you to dive into Jay Greene’s assessment of this mishmash of data at his recent EducationNext article.

Dr. Greene discussed some of these matters in a presentation last year at OCPA ("The Dangers of a High-Regulation Approach to School Choice"). His speech and PowerPoint presentation are available here.

Rattan teacher quits, under investigation for alleged inappropriate relationship with student

"The Pushmataha County Sheriff's Office is investigating a relationship between a junior high teacher and 17-year-old boy who attends Rattan High School," KXII reports.

For the establishment, ESAs are a hill to die on

In an article in the current issue of School Reform News, I'm quoted making the point that certain special-interest groups in Oklahoma vigorously oppose ESA legislation.

“The main obstacle, as always, is the education establishment,” Dutcher said. “They have a vested interest in protecting their monopoly position, so for them this is a hill to die on. They have the tax-funded lobbyists, the [public relations] machine, a largely sympathetic press corps, and the infrastructure necessary to make the most noise at the capitol and on social media. Combine that with their willingness to peddle long-discredited myths, and it’s tough to overcome. You can’t overcome it unless you have political leadership willing to say, basically, ‘We’re not going to sacrifice any more kids. We’re not going home until we get this done.’ Unfortunately, we don’t have that right now.”

What choice looks like for families with young children

Joy Pullmann's recent presentation to the Oklahoma School Choice Coalition is here.

Officials investigate Purcell coach allegedly sending inappropriate text message to student

KFOR has the story.