Connecticut
is a state with many wonderful teachers, administrators, and schools. The state
consistently ranks second or third in the nation on NAEP.
The
state has some districts with high poverty and low test scores. Governor Dannel
Malloy decided to solve their problems by aligning himself with the
privatization by charter crowd.
He hired Stefan Pryor, a co-founder of a
charter chain, as his state commissioner and trusted him to enlarge the
charters’ market share.
Malloy
directed funding to charter chains, and things seemed to go his way until one
of his favorite charter chains got in trouble. First it was revealed in the
Hartford Courant that Michael Sharpe, CEO of the FUSE Jumoke charter chain, had
a criminal record. Then it came out that he did not have a doctorate, even
though he called himself “Dr.” For some reason, people in Connecticut seemed
more disturbed by the phony credential than by the long-ago felonies.
Then
came the case of “Dr.” Terrence Carter, who was in line to be the next
superintendent in Néw London. It turned out that he didn’t have a doctorate either.
Not to worry, he said, because he was receiving one from Lesley University in
Massachusetts on August 25.
Stefan
Pryor has announced he will not serve another term as Commissioner. Malloy has
said he will pursue the same agenda. Let’s hope he chooses someone who believes
in conducting background checks.
Lets
also hope that he gives thought to getting a better agenda. Charters don’t
solve the problems of poverty. They drain money from the public schools, pick
the students they want, exclude those who are most difficult to educate, and
boast of their success.
Governor
Malloy, you have a state with many outstanding and experienced educational
leaders. Choose one of them to strengthen public schools in every community in
the state.