Things That Make You Go Hmmm…

Sorry I was away yesterday, friends.  Mrs. Mimi has one or two things on the old plate that need to get wrapped up before Mini Mimi makes her big debut.  And, as is the way of my people, I have procrastinated just a bit so that everything feels real panicky and urgent.  It’s really just super.

Anyhow, I was glancing over the NY Times the other day and stumbled upon this gem in which Arne Duncan claims to be a not-so-silent partner to education.  The “not-so-silent” part I totally get.  I mean, we all heard him loud and clear as he heaped blame upon teachers for failing schools in Rhode Island.  Loud.  And.  Clear.  (Sometimes fingers speak louder than words.)

It’s the “partner” part I’m really stuck on.  Exactly who is his partner in this battle AGAINST education? He certainly can’t be implying that he is partners with actual teachers, because then, THEN I would question his sanity and not just his judgement.  I mean, being a first and second grade teacher, I spent a lot of time talking about what makes a good partner and my little lectures certainly did not include finger-pointing, or name-calling and blame.  (Oh my!)  So to whom is he referring?  Who does he see as his partner in crime?

Of the Rhode Island firings, Mr. D-bag…uh, excuse me, Mr. Duncan said that “There’s got to be a sense of accountability.”  So, if he would like to be all buddy buddy, all snuggly up in bed partner style with education, is he going to be willing to take some of that lovely accountability on himself?  He has clearly made the case that we’re not going to hold parents or poverty accountable for anything, but is he willing to take the fall?

I’m going to go ahead and say no.  No, he is not.  Just a hunch.