Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Two N.Y. editorials

Mike Klonsky's SmallTalk Blog: Two N.Y. editorials

Two N.Y. editorials

by Mike Klonsky

There must be something in the drinking water inside the editorial offices of the Times & Daily News. N.Y. editorial writers are falling all over themselves to echo Arne Duncan'sschool "reform" message. Problem is, the message is so muddled and the writers so ignorant about the most basic notions of public education that their daily exhortations to close more schools (including colleges of education) and fire more teachers are beginning to sound comedic.

By far the goofiest, was in Sunday's Daily News. The board has joined Duncan in his assault on ed schools. Of course there are many valid criticisms of ed school programs that can be made. But their argument is that prospective teachers are learning too much theory--you know, all that crazy stuff about cognitive development, experiential learning, and (OMG!) democracy in education.

We don't need no stinkin' theory says the DN, especially that left-wing stuff. You know, those guys they teach