When reformy ideologies clash…
Summary of Reformy Ideology
Reformy Ideology #1: Teacher quality is the one single factor that has the greatest effect on childrens’ life chances. Get a bad teacher or two in a row, and you’re screwed for life. The “best possible” way to measure teacher quality is by estimating the teacher’s influence on student test scores (value-added). Hiring, retention and dismissal decisions must, that is, MUST be based primarily on this information. This information may be supplemented, but value-added must play the dominant single role.
Reformy Ideology #2: Charter schools are the answer to most of the problems of poor urban school districts. Take and poor, failing urban school district, close its dreadfully failing schools and replace them as quickly as
