“Are the stars out tonight, I don’t know if it’s cloudy or bright, but I only have eyes for you….dear…” (best put to music!)
Then again, out of the eleven gubernatorial races this year, only two of five reformers who could have become governor (in some cases, again) have won, both of whom were incumbents. Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels was re-elected, along with Utah Governor Jon Huntsmen, who won a commanding 76 percent over Bob Springmeyer in a state whose education reforms have been tenuous, but at least there have been attempts to change.
Speaking of change, if we’re gong to have real education reform, we need more governors who are willing to buck conventional wisdom.
North Carolina Governor-elect Beverly Perdue is a friend of the teachers’ union before she’s a friend of moms who want the best for their children, so education reformers in the Tar Heel State will have to work extra hard for their opportunities here.
Over to Washington State, we’re still awaiting word on the rematch between Rossi and Gregoire – the former actually likes reform, the latter has been good on standards but has ignored the push for charter schools for years.
But out of eleven possible opportunities for change, only a fraction seem primed for greater educational opportunities.
Back in 1993, we had a much better outlook. State Governors and legislatures were bold and innovative and went on to establish many programs that bred choice and accountability. Just 15 years later, the most salient issue of our day seems lost.
We will resolve that – soon.
Tags: charter school, choice, election, governor, North Carolina, Utah, Washington
