Snow Day Rumination
“Your Honor, years ago I recognized my kinship with all living beings, and I made up my mind that I was not one bit better than the meanest on earth. I said then, and I say now, that while there is a lower class, I am in it, and while there is a criminal element I am of it, and while there is a soul in prison, I am not free.”
― Eugene V. Debs
Winter in the South seems to show up on a whim, only loosely tied to the calendar. One week in January you might have temperatures in the mid-40s, only to see them plummet to single digits the next week.
That said, it seldom snows like it has this week. Nashville has been hit by 7 inches of snow, with temperatures dropping into the single digits. It goes without saying, we are homebound.
You know what they say, make lemonade out of lemons.
The sudden confinement provides an opportunity to comment on some education policy world occurrences that may have flown a little under the radar.
I've been writing this blog for 10 years now. In that pursuit, I've gained some insight. I've also seen some nebulous terms that continually remain undefined. Language manipulation is a favored tactic by all parties.
In this week's Tennessean, ran an article by Rachel Wegner that attempted to examine how Tennessee education policy became so political - and often contentious. it's not a bad overview and a good starting point for those unfamiliar with the recent past.
The debate over education policy, both nationally and locally, has been framed as one pitting those who wish to destroy public education against those who wish to keep students trapped in failing schools. As the rhetoric on both sides has become cemented, the space for nuance and civil debate has been greatly diminished. Money, cultural issues, and privatization become the dominant theme, while discussion of the effect on students is pushed to the background.
One legislator told me recently, and I paraphrase, that school systems are not his concern. He has no allegiance to anything but student outcomes. It's something that I've been turning over in my head since, and I can't find fault.
Yes, teacher issues are student issues. How we talk about them matters.
Another friend told me last week, that they believe that if Lee's Educational Freedom Accounts passes, they believe it'll be a blow to public education that the system will never recover.
What does that mean?
Will public schools suddenly cease to exist?
Will the majority of students suddenly shift to private school options?
Will teachers flee the public sector in a mass transference to private entities?
Will students who attend public schools suddenly find themselves deprived of any ability to learn?
I'd argue that some of the current public options can't possibly do any worse than they are presently doing. Is that a school funding issue or a societal issue? It is kind of ironic that schools that can find the means to field championship sports teams, can't produce similar results academically.
What about in rural communities, where options are limited? I'd be surprised if suddenly private options were to open in communities that house less than 1000 students. You'd be shocked at how many of those districts makeup Tennessee's public education system.
By the same token, Lee's naming of vouchers as Education Freedom Accounts is a bit asinine. Just putting "freedom" in the title, much like "equity", doesn't make it so.
All of this vitriol is transpiring while none of us have read a word of the actual legislation, nor has the final product been written. As a result, we find ourselves in a philosophical argument, as opposed to a policy debate. At some point that needs to shift, but will it?
Cultural issues are very much at the root of the battle. We've sold schools as a tool for social change, and as such expanded their scope past the comfort level of many families.
Education is a difference maker because it provides new adults with the ability to read, write, and do math. if you have those skills, you are capable of taking advantage of opportunities that become available.
Expanding those opportunities should be the role of local and state governments. Preparing young adults to take advantage of those opportunities should be the role of schools.
it's an unpopular take, but one I'll cling to, the value of the public school model is that it provides a captive audience that can be molded to shape society in the future. if everybody attends the same public school, then everybody gets the same picture of the future.
Do you really believe that Moms for Liberty is fighting hard against individual books because they fear Johnny or Mary may be scared if they read them? No, it's the overall context and impact and concern that concerns them. I may disagree, but I understand.
Do you think their opposition is fighting back equally hard because they find the books benign? No, they understand the impact of literacy and how it influences people's views. Again, I may disagree, but I understand.
If you believe otherwise, then you are either ignorant or disingenuous. Sorry if that offends, but I'm looking for an honest conversation.
We argue out of one side of our mouth that what's taught in schools isn't indoctrination while insisting that other materials remain because kids should be exposed to everything. Don't believe me, try assigning any Ayn Rand book as assigned reading.
Despite our protestations, schools have been used for indoctrination since inception. The argument has always been over what's being indoctrinated.
Public schools were created back in the 1800s as a means to create "good citizens". In the early part of the 1900s, they were used as a means to assimilate the flow of immigrants into American society.
For example, the introduction of the daily practice of reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.
The Pledge, written by Francis Bellamy was created because he believed that patriotism began by learning about it at a young age in school. To get the pledge to be used throughout the nation, Bellamy and The Youth's Companion began selling flags with the goal of being seen in every school in the country. The motivation of patriotism and capitalism began the emergence of the Pledge of Allegiance in schools.
Hmmm...thought we didn't do any indoctrination in schools. Gives a little context to the recent legislation banning the pride flag introduced by state rep Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood), no?
Ironically, Bellamy was a socialist. Two liberal businessmen, Daniel Ford and his nephew, James Upham, owned Youth's Companion.
The original words "my flag" were changed to "the flag of the United States of America" because it was feared that the children of immigrants might confuse "my flag" for the flag of their homeland. The phrase, "under God," was added by Congress and President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1954 at the urging of the Knights of Columbus.
Equally ironic, because Bellamy was a staunch believer in the separation of church and state.
Over the past 50 years, we've seen a greater splintering of American society, for better and for worse. I would argue one unintended consequence of this splintering is a diminished shared vision of what a future society should include.
That alone sets the stage for a contentious argument over education policy. One that we must ratchet down.
Do you need more evidence? Consider a recently proposed charter school in South Carolina. The school would use the 1976 Curriculum, created by Hillsdale College. The new school, to be known as the Ashley River Classical Academy, will be fully taxpayer-funded. You may disagree with the premise, but it's the inevitable result of a battle that deems to separate more than collaborate.
At some point, the definition of "public education" needs to be expanded.
Any school that takes public money, is part of the public school system. As such. they should all share a common accountability model, one that is readily available to the public.
We also need to remember that "public" means public and includes all of the public, not just the people who stoke our feelings of compassion. We don't put qualifiers on who pays taxes, we shouldn't put qualifiers on who shares in the benefits.
High-performing students deserve the same resources as low-performing students.
Wealthy students deserve the same resources as poor students.
Public schools are for "all kids". When we make value judgments about children based on the status and behavior of their parents, we are engaging in the practice of picking and choosing winners. That is not the role of government.
Just assuming that students with fewer challenges will be "all right", shouldn't be considered sufficient.
I've yet to meet a parent who is satisfied with their kids simply being "all right". Every parent wants the most for their child and will do whatever to allow them to soar, no matter what their socio-economic class.
That is universal.
Punishing a child because their parents had the gall to earn more money, be it through work or luck, shouldn't be permissible.
Along those lines, the caveat that a child must spend a year in the public school system before being eligible for any kind of financial assistance is a non-sequitur for me.
Asking a child to sacrifice a year of their formative years to meet a philosophical belief, is an unfair demand, and one made by adults focused on preserving a system over serving a child.
Change is coming, to only real decision left is whether it is something done with you, or to you.
- - -
Yesterday we celebrated Martin Luther King's birthday. Social media was awash with quotes from King, along with pitched battles over who had the right to repeat his words.
Seeing as the celebration of MLK day is now a Federal Holiday, the discussion seems rather moot to me.
Much like Christmas, the door is wide open for interpretation and marketing. Not necessarily a bad thing.
Anybody exposed to the words of the Reverend King is bound to get some stuck to their soul, and that alone is worthy of celebration.
- - -
Time for an alumni update. Lisa Coons served both Metro Nashville Public Schools and the Tennessee Department of Education before departing for Virginia to become the state's commissioner of education. Barely a year later, she finds herself facing familiar charges and at risk of not being confirmed by Virginia's General Assembly.
An article in the Richmond Times-Dispatch outlines some concerns that should be familiar to Tennesseans.
The paper reports that since Coons took over as head of the state education department in April, the agency has seen an exodus of longtime staff and top-level staff. At the same time, the agency created a new, expensive tier of upper-level officials in the department.
A similar departure took place in Tennessee under her and Commissioner Schwann's tutelage. The Virginia exodus is somewhat worse because the state has a history of long-tenured employees, as the state does a better job than most in separating politics and policy.
The article quotes Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee, “I have heard some serious concerns around leadership in VDOE and we are gathering facts and details.”
Unlike in Tennessee, Virginia Democrats hold an advantage over Republicans, The edge is 21-9 in the Senate, and 51-49 in the House of Delegates.
While Democrats have yet to collectively discuss Coons' confirmation, the state constitution requires her appointment be confirmed by Feb. 10 — 30 days after the legislative session commenced — or her appointment will expire.
Statements made by Sen. Schuyler VanValkenburg, D-Henrico, who sits on the Senate Education and Health Committee, seem to echo concerns expressed during her previous assignments.
VanValkenburg didn't speak directly on Coons' leadership but offered criticism of how the department handles education policy.
“They seem to bite off more than they can chew. They seem to drop a lot of balls. They seem to be concerned with headlines over substance and that has me concerned, as it’s had me concerned for the last couple of years,” said VanValkenburg, who is also a Henrico teacher.
“I want to focus on the things that we know we need to do to improve students’ educational outcomes. Sometimes, it seems like the department is in a constant state of flux.”
Per the Times dispatch, "Since Coons was appointed in April, seven directors — department heads within the agency — have left the VDOE. Another director, Sarah Susbury, will leave the agency next month after 24 years at the VDOE. She oversaw the student assessment department."
The more things change, the more they stay the same.
Or, as we say in AA, wherever you go, there you are.
- - -
Last week, was not a great week for Tennessee's Education Commission Lizzette Reynolds. A pair of videos shared by the Tennessee Hollar painted her as ill-prepared and lacking the qualifications to hold her position.
Even Nashville's normally benign public radio was critical of the Commissioner's State Senate appearance.
Some social media posters went a step further, pointing out that the Tennessee Code requires the state commissioner of education to be qualified to teach in Tennessee's schools. A look at TN Compass shows that Ms Reynolds does not hold a Tennessee teaching license. That could be an issue.
Purportedly her predecessor is taking great glee in her troubles and is rumored to be sharing the videos from last week. The former commissioner seems to be of the opinion that the worse Reynolds looks, the better her tenure will be viewed.
Might be time to file a FOI and take a look at exactly what Ms. Schwinn is doing in her new role with the University of Florida.
I can say this with all confidence, no matter what Reynolds does, nothing will make Ms. Schwinn's tenure look any better. History is a cruel mistress.
- - -
News out of the west is that MNPS's Chief Academic Officer Mason Bellamy is a finalist for the Superintendent job for the Albuquerque Public School District.
Thomas Ahart, Des Moines, IA, former superintendent of Des Moines Public Schools, now a consultant with the Council of the Great City Schools
Mason Bellamy, Clarksville, TN, Chief of Academics and Schools for Metro Nashville Public Schools
Gabriella Durán Blakey, Albuquerque, Chief of Operations Officer, Albuquerque Public Schools
Channell Segura, Albuquerque, Chief of Schools, Albuquerque Public Schools
In a press release announcing the semi-finalists, the school board said:
“This is a critical decision and a great opportunity for the board and community,” Albuquerque Public Schools Board of Education President Danielle Gonzales said in a press release. “The futures of our children depend on finding an accomplished educator who prioritizes student learning and social-emotional wellness and commits to the strategic plan to make it all happen."
The search comes after long-time educational leader Scott Elder announced his retirement after more than 30 years with the district.
The next step is a public meet and greet on January 30th.
Despite claims made in Bellamy's resume, his tenure at MNPS has not been a smooth one. I suspect you'll see many an education advocate praising the CAO in hopes that Albuquerque will take off their hands.
- - -
Been a while since I plugged the TNEd Report, but rest assured that they are still an integral part of the conversation. If you haven't read them lately, you owe it to yourself to do so.
- - -
Time to rattle the cup a little bit before I head out the door.
If you could help a brother out…and you think this blog has value, your support would be greatly appreciated.
To those who’ve thrown some coins in the basket, I am eternally grateful for your generosity. It allows me to keep doing what I do and without you, I would have been forced to quit long ago. It is truly appreciated and keeps the bill collectors semi-happy. Now more than ever your continued support is vital.
If you are interested, I’m sharing posts via email through Substack. This has proven to be an effective way to increase coverage. Readers have the option of either free or paid subscriptions. Paid subscriptions will potentially receive additional materials as they become available. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
If you wish to join the rank of donors but are not interested in Substack, you can still head over to Patreon and help a brother out. Or you can hit up my Venmo account which is Thomas-Weber-10. I don’t need much – even $5 would help – but if you think what I do has value, a little help is always greatly appreciated. Not begging, just saying, Christmas is right around the corner.
If you’d like less opinion and more news, check out my writing for The Tennessee Star. It’s a bit drier but equally informative.