Wednesday, July 08, 2009

RUSSO: Too Much USDE Micromanaging

Alexander Russo:

If there is a second stimulus -- odds are there won't be but let's pretend otherwise -- what should it include by way of education funding? Other more reformy types will disagree but my vote would not be for adding to the innovation and incentive funds. There's too much of that distraction already, without any real chance of being big enough money to make a difference. (And way too much USDE micromanaging in the works already.)

Instead, I'd go for more stabilization money to prevent classroom layoffs. Something to help make sure that pensions and benefits don't get destroyed. Some sort of summer school or extended year subsidy to try and make up for all the summer school that's being cut. Boring stuff, I know. I'd love to do more, but I feel like everyone's been putting the cart before the horse these last few months. Trying to do too much with too little. Looking a little bit too far ahead and not looking at the immediate economic problems.

That sounds about right, particularly the "micromanaging" and "cart before the horse" parts.

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