Quote: RTTT "Gimmicks" This Week In Education

This Week In Education

Quote: RTTT "Gimmicks"

"I am struck by how many of these [RTTT] things Texas does... and how little difference it's made in the overall quality of education in this state... They're gimmicks."

- Texas education reporter Kimberly Reeves

Turnarounds: Roundup Of Reactions

Here's a quick roundup of news coverage detailing reactions to the speech from teachers unions and the business community:

Obama angers union officials with remarks in support of R.I. teacher firingsWashington Post

Obama courts Chamber on education POLITICO

Obama cites RI school firings in education speech Associated Press

School Fires Its Teachers In The Name Of Progress NPR

Obama Backs Rewarding Districts That Police Failing Schools NYT

Obama: Controversial Speech Delivered Without Alteration

It must have been tempting to massage the text but President Obama retained the reference to the turnaround in Rhode Island that was in his prepared remarks. [He also, it should be noted, included strong language about the importance of teachers, the use of staff firings as a last resort, etc.] Transcript here.