Obama Education Secretary Arne Duncan Must Deal With Rhee, Union
Obama's education pick faces tough choices between unions and revolutionaries, Richard Whitmire writes
That revolution is partly fueled by Teach for America, the inspired program that recruits students from elite college campuses and trains them to teach in the nation's toughest schools. Rhee is a product of that system, having taught in a Baltimore elementary school for two years as a TFAer. Today, TFA alums—14,400 from the last 18 years—are scattered around the country, many holding high-powered jobs (8 percent of Princeton seniors recently applied to join). Two thirds of those alums either work or study in the education field, almost half as classroom teachers. Even alums who left education for good after their two-year teaching commitment and now work as lawyers and investment bankers look upon those two years as their formidable domestic Peace Corps experience—93 percent say they contribute to the TFA "mission" in some way. These folks, who are not beholden to the system, are hungry for reform.
This is not a group to be messed with, so it should come as no surprise that when Obama appointed Stanford education professor and TFA critic Linda Darling-Hammond as his transition education chief, TFA alums (the organization itself stayed neutral) rallied the troops to block her appointment as secretary. It was a messy, one-sided battle. In fact, it got so bloody that Darling-Hammond's allies finally had to rally to her defense with op-eds and letters to the editor, correctly pointing out that her distinguished education career amounted to more than being a union toady. I can't name a single other Obama transition chief who endured that kind of hazing.
Two lessons for Duncan in his new job: Don't mess with TFA, and don't even try to ignore the Michelle Rhee confrontation over teacher competence. At 6-foot, 5-inches tall, you can dunk once on the diminutive Rhee. But don't try it a second time.
Richard Whitmire, a veteran education reporter, is president of the National Education Writers Association.
- Read more about education.
- Read more about the Obama administration.
- Read more about Teach for America.
- Read more about teachers.
Reader Comments
Victim of UOP
I attended UOP and it was the worse mistake of my life. Not only was I threatened by financial advisors that if I withdrew my credit would be messed up and no one would want to deal with me because I had bad credit, but the teachers made numerous attempts to break up me and my husband saying that one of them would be better for me, and along with that we were accused of cheating. They also added classes to my schedule and they show on my UOP trascript.
Now they persist on collecting money from me and have reported negatively on my credit report. I applied for a loan to get a new car and was denied because they report a charge-off on credit report. A few days ago they called my mother harrasssing her about how to contact, asked her where do I work, where do I live and for a number to reach me at.
UOP has been nothing but a really bad nightmare for me, only it is a reality. I am not a person who hates, but UOP is seriously making change that thought. I would like nothing more than to put these rip-off artists out of business and behind bars.
A problem, wrapped up in a puzzle, inside a deliema.
University of phoenix
“Give me a break”
Given the financial crisis we are facing in America today, why is the University of Phoenix, (UOP) being allowed to continue enrolling individuals from the lower socio-economic-strata and collect billions in tax payer dollars.
Many of these students barely managed to graduate from what is categorized as poor, inner-city sub-standard schools. UOP, CEO's know in advance, many of these individuals are not going to stay the course because when they are presented with Algebra and English Composition, they are doomed to failure, but by that time, UOP have collected billions in Pell Grants and various student loans.
Further, it is not hard to believe some of UOP’s victims end up in prison, on welfare or living in servitude, again leaving the taxpayers holding the bag.
The hundreds and perhaps thousands of complaints and class action lawsuits that have been filed against UOP would cause anyone to ask, why are they allowed to continue financial assaults on the poor and unsuspecting? The complaints speak for themselves.
Now, I am hearing their degrees are substandard. Many UOP graduates complain when seeking employment, their degrees are not accepted. The same is true when trying to transfer credits to other universities.
Within the discussions, it is also noted, the number one reason the online degrees are often turned down is because UOP does not know who is sitting on the other side of the computer. In other words, it could be someone with a PHD posting the required threads.
UOP students who have had everything taken from them warn if you go against UOP, retaliation is sure to follow. This is outrageous. I am sure UOP have been investigated many times, however, the students continue coming out on the losing end.
It really is time for change. I will be forwarding this message to the Obama administration. Perhaps they can look into this matter and do something about it. I invite you to type into your computers, (University of Phoenix complaints and class action lawsuits). You will not believe the kinds of complaints that have been lodged aganist this so-called educational institution. No wonder America is going broke.
A problem, wrapped up in a puzzle, inside a deliema.
University of phoenix
“Give me a break”
Given the financial crisis we are facing in America today, why is the University of Phoenix, (UOP) being allowed to continue enrolling individuals from the lower socio-economic-strata and collect billions in tax payer dollars.
Many of these students barely managed to graduate from what is categorized as poor, inner-city sub-standard schools. UOP, CEO's know in advance, many of these individuals are not going to stay the course because when they are presented with Algebra and English Composition, they are doomed to failure, but by that time, UOP have collected billions in Pell Grants and various student loans.
Further, it is not hard to believe some of UOP’s victims end up in prison, on welfare or living in servitude, again leaving the taxpayers holding the bag.
The hundreds and perhaps thousands of complaints and class action lawsuits that have been filed against UOP would cause anyone to ask, why are they allowed to continue financial assaults on the poor and unsuspecting? The complaints speak for themselves.
Now, I am hearing their degrees are substandard. Many UOP graduates complain when seeking employment, their degrees are not accepted. The same is true when trying to transfer credits to other universities.
Within the discussions, it is also noted, the number one reason the online degrees are often turned down is because UOP does not know who is sitting on the other side of the computer. In other words, it could be someone with a PHD posting the required threads.
UOP students who have had everything taken from them warn if you go against UOP, retaliation is sure to follow. This is outrageous. I am sure UOP have been investigated many times, however, the students continue coming out on the losing end.
It really is time for change. I will be forwarding this message to the Obama administration. Perhaps they can look into this matter and do something about it. I invite you to type into your computers, (University of Phoenix complaints and class action lawsuits). You will not believe the kinds of complaints that have been lodged aganist this so-called educational institution. No wonder America is going broke.
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