“If it were done when ’tis done, then ’twere well, it were done quickly.”
If I were Obama, I’d take Macbeth’s advice and hurry up and pick my education secretary already, if only to put an end to the nonstop “reformers vs. traditionalists” drumbeats that are growing by intensity day by day. The will he or won’t he (pick a “reformer” or go old school) has now been the subject of this David Brooks column, this piece in The New Republic, and this story in the Associated Press in the last three days alone. Perhaps the pick is someone both sides will be equally pleased with – or upset by. But if you’re planning on alienating a segment of your amen corner, why prolong the agony? Let the healing begin.
The Macbeth reference suggests that someone will believe they have been stabbed in the back, no matter who becomes Secretary. Here’s hoping that’s not the case. The media’s “reformers vs. traditionalists” story line is creating cartoon versions of school reform, minimizing the complexity of the challenges we face, and fanning flames of conflict and factionalism at a time when we need wide-ranging, constructive and respectful national discussions of school improvement.
Comment by Claus — December 8, 2008 @ 12:02 pm
Well said, Claus. Personally, I’ve grown tired of what I perceive to be the false dichotomy between the two sides. Indeed, I think there are no shortage of educators who see a sensible center. Methinks this is a good time for them to speak up. From Shakespeare to Yeats: “The best lack all conviction, while the worst. Are full of passionate intensity.”
Comment by Robert Pondiscio — December 8, 2008 @ 12:11 pm