Why non-educator school chiefs aren't the answer
This was written byLarry Cuban, a former high school social studies teacher (14 years, including seven at Cardozo and Roosevelt high schools in the District), district superintendent (seven years in Arlington, Virginia) and professor emeritus of education at Stanford University, where he has taught for 20 years. His latest book is "As Good As It Gets: What School Reform Brought to Austin." This appeared on his blog. By Larry Cuban Many questions accompany the current reform effort for mayors and urban districts to hire non-educators. Here are a few. 1. Where do non-educator superintendents serve? Lawyers Harold Levy and Joel Klein served as Chancellors in New York City. Publishing executive Cathie Black was selected to replace Klein. Paul Vallas, former budget chief for Chicago Mayor Richard Daley, headed that city's schools. Colorado governor Roy Romer went to run Los Angeles schools. Generals John Stanford in Seattle and Julius Becton