Most Observers Embrace “Anti-Crap Doctrine” in L.A.
The education reform crowd and many in the charter school movement were understandably disappointed that the Los Angeles Board of Education decided to turn over 22 of 30 campuses to teachers (read: UTLA) instead of outside organizations.
“We think it’s a victory for students and the collaboration between teachers and parents and administrators,” said A.J. Duffy, president of UTLA. “The world is going to see what we’ve been saying all along: Give the authority to teachers and we will create quality schools.”As in the case of the UFT Charter School, Duffy will find it isn’t all cakes and ale being the boss, but I believe most of us would really like to see the schools succeed.
Joe Williams, executive director of the Democrats for Education Reform, is the creator of the “Anti-Crap Doctrine.” The text has been lost, but it states that despite our differences, we can all agree that crappy schools are crappy, it’s unacceptable to allow them to continue to be crappy, and something must be done to make them less crappy. Whatever works is to be applauded.
It doesn’t mean anyone involved must abandon his or her general principles. The political and policy battles will continue. The white hats will still blame the black hats. But if some kids in New York City and Los Angeles end up getting a better education in a union-run school than they otherwise would have, that’s a good thing for them and ultimately, for us.
