Eduwonkette responds to what she sees as important, and on subjects to which she can add value. I don’t think it’s her responsibility to seek out NYC “success stories” to balance out her critiques.

Cantor, on the other hand, heads public relations for Joel Klein and thus by definition is paid to trumpet a particular (almost always positive) message. Who has the agenda?

With her personality I want her to join us in the inner city. The kids recognize someone who “keeps it real” and would work their tails off for her.

I understand that you may not agree with the interpretations that Jennifer draws from data, but can you cite one or more specific instances in which she or I have used data that are incorrect?

Aaron Pallas

(Ed’s Note: Mr. Pallas, aka “Skoolboy,” is Professor of Sociology and Education at Teachers College, Columbia University. He is a contributor with Ms. Jennings to Eduwonkette — rp)

In Chesterton’s The Napoleon of Notting Hill, our joke-loving hero Auberon Quin (soon to be King, though he does not know it) entertains his new acquaintances with the following tale:

“Dr. Polycarp was, as you all know, an unusually sallow bimetallist. ‘There,’ people of wide experience would say, ‘There goes the sallowest bimetallist in Cheshire.’ Once this was said so that he overheard it; it was said by an actuary, under a sunset of mauve and grey. Polycarp turned upon him. ‘Sallow!’ he cried fiercely, ’sallow! Quis tulerit Gracchos de seditione querentes.’ It was said that no actuary ever made game of Dr. Polycarp again.”

David Cantor
NYCDOE and Bill Jamesian