Obama's Secretary Of Education: Joel Klein?

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Joel Klein, Chancellor of New York City's Department of Education, the nation's largest public school system, has been rumored to be on Obama's list of Secretary of Education candidates.

Before Michael Bloomberg won his bid for the right to a third term, there were rumors that Klein would run for mayor himself. The point is now moot, of course, and Klein may have to turn elsewhere for his political ambitions.

Comments

[repatriate]

I think it's pretty obvious that this whole set of 'what if's' is a series of trial balloons by HuffPo people, to get a feel for who they want to lobby for. It's all one level removed from reality, and I'm sure Obama will be crystal clear on this when they start hearing claims of groundswells for various people.

[myside]

bill gates for education, patrick fitgerald for attorney general.

[trreducator]

As another New Yorker (who works in the public schools), I have to agree with the other posts that Klein is not a good choice. Log on to www.barackobama.com, click on issues, and send a comment to Obama and his team about your reasoning. Theoretically, they want to hear from us.

[socialjustice4achange]

It looks as if the people of NY think of Klein as a hack. Caroline Kennedy has great name recognition and gives a wonderful speech but is not a current or former holder of a position of authority in any outstanding educational institution. Her level of qualification is only a step or two higher than that of Margaret Spellings. A better choice, IMHO, would be Wayne Watson. Watson will be taking a leave of absence from his chancellor position at City Colleges of Chicago beginning January and prior to retiring in May.
Under his guidance, the City Colleges have claimed their highest-ever level of respectability. He has guided the institution through particularly hostile strikes to emerge as a set of schools that delivers greater dollar for dollar value than most colleges you can name. And he brings Chicago sensibility.

[jventress]

Instead of looking at the Chancellor of New York City Board of Education, Joel Klein, as the Secretary of Education, President-elect Barack Obama should continue his thoughtful search for the best Secretary of Education by using teaching experience as part of his criteria.
The only way, he will ensure that all states have common standards for education in the USA is to select someone who has the experience implementing the state standards by developing lesson plans according to the established school curriculum. Test scores are not the only way and not necessarily the best way to measure student achievement and a teacher or school’s success. One must have the foresight to know what will work and what might pose a challenge to students and teachers in the classrooms across this country.
There are many other qualified individuals who should be vetted as possible candidates. Considering presidents and professors of universities where teachers are educated would be ideal. Who better than a professor who engages in thoughtful discussion and debate with other educators would have the insight to handle a national education policy. Therefore, members of the academia who formulate state standards and lesson plans should be on the proverbial “short list.” We need teaching professionals who would bring more to our nation’s classrooms -NOT a business person whose only measure of academic achievement in NYC schools is quantitative (and not qualitative) statistics. Don’t our kids deserve a whole education that develops the whole child?

[LatinaCT]

Oh NO. Absolutely terrible to even suggest Joel Klein.

Obama's way too smart to appoint Joel Klein to anything.

[janfin]

I agree totally. I live in Qns, NY and Klein has done nothing good for NYC schools.

[ThatOne4Me]

HORRIBLE IDEA. Obama's education agenda goes down the drain if he picks this man.

He wasn't qualified for the job from day one. He's Bloomberg's buddy and over-seer.

He hasn't distinguished himself.

Please do not force this man on America.

I'm shocked and disheartened to learn that he is under consideration.

[ANewAmerica]

I'm from New York, hell no to joel klein, he's done a horrible job in NY. no way! I'll be emailing the Obama camp immediately. Caroline Kennedy should definitely get this job!

[ANewAmerica]

I'm from New York, HELL NO TO JOEL KLIEN!!! he's done a horrible job in NY. Hell no!!!! I'll be emailing the Obama camp immediately. Caroline Kennedy should definitely get this job!

[unscum]

Joe who?

[gevan]

Nooooooo!

[teacherkh]

We must get President Elect Obama to read, White Chalk Crime: The REAL Reason Schools Fail. Although it details nationwide wrongdoing in education, Joel Klein has 17 pages about him! So you won't have to purchase it to learn about Klein's dismal record, we are posting a download of the excerpts pertaining to him at WhiteChalkCrime.com and EndTeacherAbuse.org. Or go to either site to request the download. Please circulate these truths before Obama falls into a White Chalk Crime hole and spends four years digging out. (I say four years since once connected to White Chalk Criminals hope will be out the door!)

This book documents others to avoid, including the union leadership that marches lock step with White Chalk Criminals. Education is a mine field of corruption known only to insiders whose voices are silenced so nothing can change. Terrorizing teachers works! With tax subsidized propaganda at their beckon call and only deceitful voices reaching power, their intentions appear good. They are not. We can prove this. This book contains the voices of 140 educators, 64 of which had the courage to allow me to use their names. It is the first book of its kind and hopefully the last. Education is the torch bearer for democracy. With White Chalk Criminals in control, democracy will fade. Politics cannot control our schools, the heart of our nation, if we expect this to be the age of principles. We must convey this to President Elect Obama. Please circulate this.