Big Education’s inclination to protect the system at all costs is on full display in Durham right now. The Herald-Sun reports that 16 of the county’s 28 elementary schools — 57 percent — have done so poorly on No Child Left Behind testing that they’re facing sanctions. But Durham school officials clearly believe they can simply tell the feds to go away and instead try to get state officials to give them cover. Check out this statement from Terry Mozingo, chief academic officer for Durham Public Schools (emphasis is mine):
“We recognize and are aware of the sanctions that are outlined by the federal government No Child Left Behind. We will continue to work with the Department of Public Instruction to participate in a pilot [program] and will not, at this point in time, engage in the sanctions that are outlined,” Mozingo said.
Since when does the failing organization get to decide to ignore corrective measures? Since today apparently.
Let this be a lesson. The next time you mess up royally and repeatedly, just tell your spouse, the mortgage company, or the judge that you “will not, at this point in time, engage in the sanctions that are outlined.”
