Risco Picked For State BOE

Another Corporatist.

I find it so interesting that the newly appointed members of the State Board of Ed from New Haven are not themselves educators. It reminds me of industry's attempts to modify manufacturing practices to improve productivity. It seemed that the best way to improve aging, failing practices was to ask for ideas and suggestions from the people on the assembly lines those on the front lines. The result greater productivity, greater worker satisfaction. Wouldn't it be wonderful if Education could follow that model and elect to the State Board of Ed. educators? Maybe then we would get the changes that public education so desperately needs. How are people so far outside the system going to make decisions about the educational system, it's like asking a lawyer to make suggestions on how to do a heart transplant. I'm very concerned and those whose children are in public education should be too.

Great selection by Gov. Malloy of someone who has a history of commitment, follow-through and care for the community and our youth. Mr. Risco will serve the board well and represent the concerns of our youth on a state level. Look well to your new appointment Mr. Risco.

Educator,

Here's the difference between industry and public education.

In your example about manufacturing employees, those workers were fighting for their economic lives because they were getting their lunches eaten by the competition. As a result, their interests were completely alligned with those of the managers and shareholders. If the company failed, the shareholders lost their money and the employees and their managers lost their jobs.

But in public education there is no significant competitive influence. You work in a government monopoly. As a result, operational failure yields no consequences for employees, administrators or teachers alike. Not even the BOE members lose their seats if kids don't learn.

In public education, virtually no one loses their jobs over poor performance issues. This is codified in policies and practices like teacher certification, tenure, and LIFO. (Finally these regressive, oppressive policies are beginning to change - but way too gradually.)

Unlike private industry, the economic success of school system employees is dependent on creating large dominant unions which then funnel millions of dollars and political support to politicians, (mainly democrats)who get elected and then in return pass legislation that provides employment protections and perks.

The private business model relies on revenue from consumers who have choices in the market. Our public education system relies on revenue from the government. The product doesn't have to be any good - the election just has to be won.

If the public education system ever opened itself to real competition then parents, businesspeople and all the loudest critics would suddenly stop telling you all what to do with their children. Instead, they would simply and quietly vote with their feet.