Joe Williams' Blog
February 18, 2009
Yolanda Hill Must Be Stopped At All Costs!
Yolanda Hill is a very, very bad woman.
Thankfully she was arrested and had her hands cuffed to a chain around her waist after spending several days in jail last week before appearing before a Rochester (NY) area judge.
People like Hill should not be allowed to roam our streets.
Although her daughter doesn't see it the same way. "My mom only did what was right because she loved us," said Santazcha Hill, who is 16. "She's not a criminal."
Technically, Hill is an "alleged" criminal. She sent her kids to public schools outside of Rochester because she didn't think they were "good enough" for her kids. The nerve! People like Hill are ruining public education. Instead of finding good schools for her kids, she should send them to bad Rochester schools and then run for a community education council or something, where over the course of the next 50-years she can fight to improve them in time for her great grandkids.
More background on Hill's case can be found here. Meanwhile, Urban Journal's Mary Anna Towler writes that this case has now made her a charter school supporter.
It would be interesting if someone asked Gov. David Paterson how he feels about the issue of throwing parents into jail for sending their kids to the wrong public schools.
Posted by Joe Williams on February 18, 2009 7:31 AM
February 17, 2009
NY Times: Stimulus, Power and Risk
The NT Times' Sam Dillon this morning writes up the groundbreaking stimulus bill that Republicans chose to ignore. (Though is seems that governors who actually have to run their states aren't ignoring it.)
Our interest in this bill, due to be signed today by President Obama, was in the historic opportunity to save jobs/fill state and local budget gaps while also pushing some ong-overdue reform of public education.
We continue to believe that the Duncan and his team have a chance to move this thing to new heights. But we also understand that government isn't always so great at this stuff. So we're cautiously optimistic. Our statement on the package deal is after the jump.
Continue reading "NY Times: Stimulus, Power and Risk"....
Posted by Joe Williams on February 17, 2009 7:52 AM
February 9, 2009
DFER Stimulus Plan Update Memo
Can be found here. You can supersize it with a large drink and fries if you like.
Last week's thoughts can be found by scrolling down.
Posted by Joe Williams on February 9, 2009 12:39 AM
February 8, 2009
Stimulating Remarks On Stimulus From The Elephants
If you weren't paying attention during all of the back-and-forth last week on the proposed economic stimulus package as it relates to schools, you might think that the comments that appeared in Saturday's Wall Street Journal from GOP Rep. Buck McKeon's flack-catcher were somehow misquoted.
Republicans are opposed to the stimulus plan... because... there is too much reform???? GOP to the House: Just show us the money????
Wow. Are Republicans sure they want Rush Limbaugh running their party?
Here is the quote:
"The issue is that this vehicle is supposed to be about economic stimulus," said Alexa Marrero, spokeswoman for Rep. Howard P. "Buck" McKeon of California, the ranking Republican on the House Education and Labor Committee. "I don't think anyone realizes that this vehicle is being used to advance substantive education reforms."
Remember, not a single Republican voted for the House version of the plan.
Posted by Joe Williams on February 8, 2009 7:29 PM
Ed Reform Meets American Idol
Separated at birth? The Rocky Mountain News looks at Colorado Senate President Peter Groff's thang for American Idol, retelling a story about a request of DFER's Ron Tupa (back when Tupa was a state senator) to do his best Ryan Seacrest impression. You make the call...
Meanwhile, Alexander Russo has the news that former Hill staffer Charlie Barone has joined the DFER team as director of federal policy.
Posted by Joe Williams on February 8, 2009 9:06 AM
February 3, 2009
Stimulus Package: Historic Opportunity To Get Things Right (UPDATED)
Bring on the reform.
In the last two weeks, DFER has had the chance to make the rounds with legislators/governors in several state houses where the economy has wreaked havoc on state budget revenues and spending.
These states need help.
But we are very worried that Congress and the Obama administration haven't learned from the recent banking bailouts (bonuses for failing corporate executives?) that massive infusions of cash must be accompanied by significant reform if this is going to be anything along the lines of change we can believe in.
Nowhere is this issue more important than in the bailout which is poised to play out for public education (a bailout that we strongly support, so long as significant changes are made in the ways this money is spent to improve student learning and ensure equity.)
Read the DFER Talking Points on the Stimulus Package here.
Read the DFER Backgrounder Memo on the Stimulus Package here.
UPDATED FEB. 23, 2009: Read the DFER memo on implementation of stimulus funding here.
Posted by Joe Williams on February 3, 2009 9:40 AM
January 27, 2009
Ms. Campos Goes to Washington
Guest blogger Katie Campos, DFER Development Director, recaps her experience in Washington, DC during Inauguration week.
O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A! O-BAM-A!
I was fortunate enough to attend some of the Inauguration ceremonies and celebrations in Washington, D.C. last week. The mood in D.C. was one of energy, excitement, animation, and selflessness. Everyone had to wait on lines, and everyone had to smush into subways, but I never encountered a single impatient or rude person. Everyone was looking out for everybody else; we were truly a unified people.
I won a ticket to the swearing in ceremony through my Congresswoman, Nydia Valezquez. I was thrilled to win the ticket, and it was the reason I was in DC, but unfortunately, like many others, I was unable to make it into my standing section spot behind the reflecting pool to watch the live ceremony. I watched the swearing in among the millions of people crowded into McDonald's and laundromats.
Because of sheer luck and an amazing connection, I attended the Neighborhood Ball-the first ball to admit real people from the neighborhood-on Tuesday evening. I arrived at the Washington Convention Center with my two friends and we waltzed into a ballroom filled with giant screens, multiple stages, and the famous Nick Cannon (Mariah Carey's hubby) as our DJ. The crowd was tiny compared to the 2 million people I had seen at the Capital earlier that day.
With little effort, we planted ourselves directly behind the stage barrier-about 5 feet from the main stage. Musical artists, such as Will.i.am, Mariah Carey, Maroon 5, and Jay-Z rocked the house in preparation of the arrival of our new Commander-in-Chief and First Lady. The crowd was ecstatic, and many more celebrities, such as Faith Hill and Denzel Washington, lined the stage. Finally, the Obamas arrived on stage, taking their first dance as President and First Lady about 5 feet from where I was standing. The crowd was euphoric and ecstatic. We cheered and celebrated not just for the change that Obama represents, but for all of our hard work in ensuring his election and in fighting for change. It was a moment in history that I will forever remember and be moved by.
Posted by Joe Williams on January 27, 2009 10:03 AM
