As to the acheivement gap (which to some is known as the opportunity gap) this will never go away until we dramatically lessen poverty, abuse, neighborhood violence, social promotion, a diminished expectation of education (solely job preparation instead of a curriculum rich in civics, art, philosophy…)

You want to create the “next generation of leaders.” What about the next generation of loggers? Of technicians? Of day care workers? Will the whole generation be striving for the few top slots, the only ones nowadays that pay the big bucks (i.e. CEOs making 100-200 times base worker salary)? Until we straighten out th economy where everyone can make an honest living, and if unemployed at least survice, then we are not providing the hope required to brings students forward.

Why do all districts have to go the way of the state? Of the feds? Aren’t districts local? Don’t they meet their own challenges in their own ways? I’m sorry, but I continue to be dismayed by LEV’s apparent federalist leanings, you keep telling us that eduators don’t change when in fact they change all the time. If the local community wanted to step up more and work with schools to get things right that’s fine, but we don’t need to follow faulty federal guidelines.

You appear to be talking out of both sides of your mouth: We shouldn’t chase the money but we should move towards compliance with RTT mandates. Which is following money….

Our schools are not half as bad as you claim (“failin” schools? Ridiculous. “Chronically underperforming” schools? Equally ridiculous. Schools don’t fail. Furthmore, given the incredibly onerous global situation, the poverty, the low voting rates, the lack of attention to deep and meaningful issues while Bradgelina covort…A solid case can be made that schools do incredibly well, given the circumstances their students come from.

Tell us what metrics you use to determine a school is “failing.”