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11/15/2004: "Public Education: Myths 101"
From today's news:
1. Article in the Times about an Arizona district where elderly developments helpt to support a public school. The author, Greg Winter, is careful to point out that private spending will not ever meet the needs of all public schools. The figures are astonishing- 9 billion dollars coming from sources other than the government- but Mr. Winter also notes that richer districts are much more adept than poorer areas in drawing out this money.
What impresses me so much is that no one could walk away from this article thinking that "free market" or "privatization" solutions are the answer.
2. In the Inqy, there's an essay on a successful Camden principal. Fairly predictable stuff- hardline admin, enforces discipline, loves the kids- and written so that you can feel good about at least one public school. Will we get a follow-up in a year or two? Do we really need these essays?