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Flypaper

Arne Duncan: We're going to hold private schools ?accountable?

Michael J. Petrilli
7.28.2010

The Administration's number-one pitchman thinks I'm being overly critical about the Race to the Top, but what does he have to say about this bit of pandering to the civil rights community?

?We will ensure that all schools?public, private and charter?serve the kids most in need,? Duncan said. ?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.?

Set aside the Secretary's assumption that charter schools aren't serving ?the kids most in need.?? What on earth is he planning to do to ?ensure? that private schools serve needy kids? How is he going to hold them ?accountable?? Accountable to whom? Most don't get public funds. Many are more diverse than traditional public schools. What the heck is he talking about?

The Administration's thinking around Race to the Top has been downright brilliant compared to its muddle-headed nonsense on ?equity.? (And I'm saying that as someone who's even willing to support busing!)

-Mike Petrilli

Tags: Arne Duncan

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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