The easiest thing for Obama to do would be to do nothing regarding education

[apples and oranges]

He knows teachers are furious with him and that can't be easy since teachers are such an important part of the base. He believes in his approach so much that he's willing to lose another term over it. That's fascinating.

[wcast]

1. How about he does something that would really work

Everyone wants education on the cheap, but then expects miracles. Keep the crumbling inner-city schools, with no text books, and lament how it's the teacher's fault. Allow politicians and school boards with no experience in education to make all of the decisions, no matter if they work or not. Appoint a federal Secretary of Ed who has a degree in sociology and never taught a day in his life.

Why doesn't Obama fully fund education, mandate class sizes of 18 or smaller, make sure that teachers are paid enough to attract them to the schools that need them the most, make sure all schools have up-to-date textbooks, technology. Get rid of the idea of teaching to the test, and teach curriculum that will help them in life. Why doesn't the President support more high schools with trade programs, and allow students to choose a career path that will have them job ready when they graduate. Many students who drop out would stay if they could do mechanic work, or carpentry, etc., instead of forcing them down an artificial path designed by a test.

Instead, it seems that "radical change" means busting the teacher's union, praising school choice and vouchers, but not really putting the money where his mouth is. If charter schools are so great, and testing does not bear this out, why aren't all schools made into charter schools. Of course, it would cost too much!! Busting the union is the only real educational change that they want, as it immediately lowers costs.

[dkf]

3. I didn't realize the Chinese and the Indians had the best of everything.

No wonder they are smoking us at education!

[xchrom]

2. It's not about easy - it's about a committed neo-liberal approach to governing. Nt

[MichiganVote]

4. Oh that's funny. So if Obama loses, teachers are to blame for THAT too? God Almighty.