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Flypaper

Arne Duncan: Actually, we're not going to hold private schools ?accountable?

Michael J. Petrilli
12.22.2011

A few days ago I wondered what Secretary Duncan was planning to do to hold private schools ?accountable,? as he promised the National Urban League. I've now received word from his press shop that the word ?private? was mistakenly added to this passage in his speech:

The Office for Civil Rights will also investigate issues like safety and sexual violence, equal opportunity for English learners, and subtle forms of re-segregation that deny minority children better opportunities. It will ensure that all schools?public, private, and charter?serve the kids most in need. That is also something you told us was important. We heard you loud and clear, we are responding and these schools will be held accountable.

Those seven letters have now been dropped; history has been rewritten; and private school leaders can sleep well again.

-Mike Petrilli

Tags: Arne Duncan English

President, Thomas B. Fordham Institute

Michael J. PetrilliĀ is president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, executive editor of Education Next, editor in chief of the Education Gadfly Weekly, host of the…

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