Feds Invade Commonwealth

Can hear those. Take this -- both of obligate dissident problems he's. We take this obligation freely and starved -- so -- T guarantee they just want to thank the people of Massachusetts who sent me here. I can't promise I will -- you right now everybody I make them but I are we sure. They'll make mistakes from time to time to start -- the last the last of the school in Cleveland. In some states money that was. Senator -- way. Any above the the world has -- -- -- broadcasting from a little. Headquarters building -- what they think you know. Was the single most. In my room. Good morning this Friday morning. Good news for Johnny's gonna drive down -- take your movies. 70. Sun come up in the southeast. Hot hot hot spot just royal I pay attention baby stuff -- presented -- -- to remove. Yes capital removing the continues to migrate and can't hold that Sunday no north no you cannot. So much to do by the way out mesa a couple of interesting things in the 8 o'clock O Steve Pagliuca sought to tribal lands are was gonna be here. Len Berman and Berman yeah that's right and let you write a book or so there is -- guest is down and out -- no -- -- -- -- -- -- -- homeless people us on -- for spare change he's in town for a -- appearance and we reached out -- gonna come on this show and be in the studio. Just -- a 25 greatest moments in sports -- without going to be great topic for -- I hope they're all about Boston well I think the in my -- candy thank you any that are outside of here hey how to -- -- -- the Boston connections -- have that they should be authorized and we'll find out the the federal government is trying to screw up education again. And now they have a new technique for doing that so we wanted to expose it and see if we had headed off for the past this shift has been going on. Where. They're they're trying to make education not be locally controlled anymore which I think makes a lot of sense a lot of people. Until you see the results and that you realize the more money we've put into. On a national level and education the worst education gets Jewish try to reverse the money trend and -- and improve the educators -- -- Story here in Massachusetts is that there actually very impressive story -- -- -- -- -- into -- general theme of you know fools on the hill. But the legislature in 1993 and consistently through a number of governors democratic and Republican. Have done a very very impressive job our guest is Jamie gas he has he works for Charlie -- -- a whole bunch of people. On school choice school charter issue school standards and accountability has been frequent guest and always a delight to have them. -- the last time and it what do you know I wasn't subtle I talked. Well for me it was. -- -- -- a half a -- yes here in the pioneer institute. What's the latest scam that the offensive turn upon us we'll. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- eighty billion dollars the state and local level. In exchange for greater accountability teacher testing academic standards and cast Charter Schools. And the results are just starting a really by almost any measure whether it's the nape test which is the nation's report card or Tim's testing which is international math and science. Massachusetts is pretty much running the table in terms of of academic Suzanne because what we're doing particularly well by some kind of empirical standard or is it that the rest of the country is such a disaster. That well we have an inherent advantage being educated population such. Right is actually a little of both and there's no question that the rest of us through a country is really kind of stagnating in certain various degrees of decline. But Massachusetts really insisted on this measurable high quality MCAS test and the standards which are the basis for the test so it's a little bit of both. And in the mechanism that really helped deliver the MCAS and -- academic standards was an independent board of education which had been. Independent since the 1830s. Under horsemen and but to kind of fast forward to -- A bit when the last two years so the Obama administration really has been masterful about using. Our race of the top money essentially 45 billion dollars to incentivize states to enact the kind of reforms they want. And sort of a direct result of that was that we just lifted the caps a Charter Schools which is terrific. The bad side of that is is it you in the race a top our competition they also beat. This commitment to. Have -- states commit to I national standard which is. Not really that great because if you're the highest performer like Massachusetts and you have. You know the high standards you have the most to lose if they set the standard lower to say West Virginia or an -- national average. What's lost if there's a national standard that slower than -- -- fly as we have our own standards that are -- yes that's the thing is is that the -- the national standards would work is is in Massachusetts would have to sign off on all of them word for word and have very little discretion -- these are just -- standards these -- standards for what you say as a teacher and school what the curriculum is exactly how you approach the -- and also are you measuring students' performances of -- now that's and that's exactly right more empirical now as opposed to -- office. Oh we do hold you know whole learning a valuations with the kids still doesn't know what what that the civil war was about. That's what got us that's what led to the frustration you start for compress whole learning HO -- something like milk got. Big -- but no that's absolutely right and that's -- -- of the day academic standards in Massachusetts have been recognized across the board the and teachers unions at the national level you people wait Didi Hirsch Diane Ravitch experts on this field the last 3040 years. Have all said that the standards in Massachusetts are the best. The highest when union people said that he even named the American federation for teachers in the national level said Merrill Jesus standards of the best and so again we have relief. The most to lose here so we need dismantling. Everything good. That's generals buddies did back in the early ninety's tried to fix education that's right and essentially -- the Kennedy Quito Massachusetts success wasn't just standards as a kind of one off. But it's aligning the standards. MCAS and then the teacher testing for Massachusetts which -- all this kind of comprehensive system. So if you pull out the standards for the students. And water them down the entire system. And frankly that's you know eighty billion dollars we've spent over last 1617 years. -- -- -- for not it would all be kind of brushed -- how -- the feds they can't tell us what to do with education -- will have to live -- whether a -- where we're seeking -- to the top money. Right that's why they're past try to school. Right mood lifting the caps are most recently related I think it's interesting about it is it good to visit the folks behind the national standards have been very clever what they did is they get to trade organizations from DC the National Governors Association. And the chief state school officers which is the commissioners of education in the states. To it to begin to draft these standards which actually not being. -- -- results not transparent and it's not accountable to the public these are treated you know non governmental trade organizations. But but what they've done is they very been very clever that they wish they'd beat these days these mentioned it in the race's top applications. And so states than in order are caught a sort of to have this catch 22 they wanna get the money you want the money they've got a site now with these drafts of the standards which again. But the standards are being drafted outside of the government exactly exactly and what's a wire they've put a plan that little gamble again that would the real the real goal here is to do exactly what they've done they've they've bypassing the state legislatures. And they're bypassing the board of education and their really kind of usurping the authority of state of the states to chart their own destiny. -- -- -- It's pretty clear memory of bill -- focus on this Tom Birmingham mark Roosevelt Democrats and Republicans. And now army that would perhaps more relevant to the current dynamics -- a Charlie Baker would have been centrally involved in this from his position on board of education and as part of the well salute she years. What do people like that idea and are they aware of it first of all what you've just described forest. The wells the Birmingham makers. And what if anything -- they -- to say hey wait a minute Massachusetts is about to take a drubbing. And lose the benefit of this eighty billion dollar 25. Years after it. That's been under way. Right yeah I mean I think all of this is beginning to get you know just come delighted the fact is it -- -- kind of was basking in the euphoria of the charter can uplifting and really pleased about that but then you can begin to. I'll look at the application in Massachusetts submitted did Governor Patrick and Paul revel in the Mitchell Chester submitted and then you realize hey evading the board of education didn't vote on this the legislature didn't vote on this and so I think. People are beginning to just get. Where did I mean this is really states' rights issues and a larger context by the federal government is trying to take away. The ability of the states to run their own school systems. It is 41 of the nice things about Barack Obama and there haven't been very many but one of the nice things is his commitment Charter Schools. Can this this race to the top money has come with a contingency that you have to do. Remove the cap on Charter Schools if you wanna get this new money from the feds and that's what caused. Mayor Menino and and the governor to go back on their long term commitment to try to destroy Charter Schools and a push legislation pushed for new rules. But a lot of for the expansion of Charter Schools. I at the same time. They're trying to intervene in the other direction with these new standards are called common core is that -- that code name for -- is exactly why is Barack Obama who's supposedly willing to fight to teachers unions to and fight the Democratic Party to help improve education. Why is he doing the same heard education. Well I think the thing is is that they had division I think they have visited Angel somehow improve the standards. In a lot of other states which you may be true but that's the fact is is that. You don't set the standard to those sort of the lowest measure you should set -- Tuesday Massachusetts -- are spread my question is zero possibility. At least hopefully probability but the possibility. That the standard that that given this national recognition of what Massachusetts is achieved that they'll say look this is already proven we don't have to remake. You know remake the -- Let's do the Massachusetts and will that's what we I think -- hoped is that they would've -- adopt the Massachusetts standard and and that's our view is essentially did other stage should be emulating Massachusetts show -- the best in the country had just demonstrable success or. Standards and our assessment certain teacher testing of the best in the country so everyone should be. Emulating us. This is sort of the opposite of that it was a liberals hate our stance. Right who -- -- only education system -- our standard will live in this that's the thing is is it -- Ed reform act in a lot of ways is an embarrassment to a lot of folks in. In education because they've had this idea for a long time that if you just pump up kids self esteem and you give them fuzzy math and you -- water the standard. That's however when it meets the standard. The Massachusetts was the opposite direction they said no we're gonna put a lot of money into it. Authorities have high stakes MCAS testing -- academic folks focus standards -- Their kids are gonna read took a more rigorous exam or an agreement -- Gary -- literature and they're gonna read about as you're saying the civil war the founding documents you know George Washington -- he saw no wonder the Democrats are foes to that I say. And we're supposed to be moving to science standards right and history standardized -- eventually language stand exactly right exactly yeah that's and that's been. It being a part of the sort of larger stories -- a lot of people within the state even in the last 1015 years in the face of all the success. Have also not really been that happy where their standards just about a year ago they killed off the US history MCAS true high -- Tests they claimed budgetary reasons you and I talked all of them are supplemented by national radar this then that that's where you say we're gonna find the two million. Let let some other part of the budget so so -- -- walk away from the education of the children this is Deval Patrick's that I attempt I think to get even for those who flew with those who forced into stop trying to destroy education if he's found another way to do right and that is to take these federal standards for some on the -- -- the Massachusetts. For for no good reason for a couple hundred million dollars is a little it's evolved. That's right I mean again we've spent eighty billion dollars over the last you know 1617 years. And there's no question 200 million dollars from the feds is a great deal money but I think the thing it's important to remember about education. Is it 90% of the funding comes from the states -- -- at all it's yeah it's a it's a local commit sore right to the feds have for the small money needs exactly and it's sort of the equivalent of buying a mansion -- a -- you know ahead dean yeah mandated by need to have your next door neighbor decorate the house paint the house and furnish it -- mean. Massachusetts is the one who's got this the biggest stake in this because we've put an enormous amount of money into it and we've had these you're a huge success. This might be hard for people get their heads are so out of very sexy issue Jamie gasses here from the pioneer it's you were talking about education. And the attempt now by the feds through this new standard. That they wanna force on the states' lawsuit on and I lose their very best and control what individual states still -- isn't that the opposite trend we want we want more larger proportion of an elevated well this is addressed him. 'cause it it shows up the item but may be bait and switch is too strong and to -- -- a phrase to use but. It is it's the it's hole and of this big -- -- -- money that people obviously they -- fixate on that particularly at a time like this every state says is a need every nickel they fixated. Bonnet in May forget what they are about to lose right in -- in in in these dynamics younger and are you listed thus -- General of Texas has resisted there's a handful of other states that decided just not to -- -- like ten states it's not -- apply for the race of the top exactly yet because again they were concerned if you're gonna lose you know the economy local control the ability to drive their reform so. But see I don't think there's any mistake on on in terms of what the way through Deval Patrick wants to be doing. He likes the idea. Of being able to water down our standards and he likes the idea of turning standards over the federal -- well he might be and that adds that section whether asked -- question of Jamie you know who have the Charlie victor experiences instructive Tim Cahill is gonna be run and a spirited campaign against the governor. You know the Republicans lose the you know I have always had a little bit of a different philosophy. On these things so hopefully it becomes a little bit more animated in terms of the of the discussion that you're trying to initiate. Questioned why -- senator O'Leary and representative Walsh recently were the spearhead -- as well as the speaker in the Senate present dispute has been a net charter school bill that you -- that wraps it. What have they said any have they expressed any alarm -- concern about his drift away from what -- proven record. And an assertive -- Linda Howard the Wayne which Patrick king -- secretary -- have gone about this is actually interesting and that's the piece that Charlie chip BO. And I didn't herald today which is. They totally bypassed the board of education support that didn't even vote on the application before -- submitted to the federal government and neither -- -- -- they are so do you yes so there's all this kind of sliding things in the back story and and deciding to unilaterally. To revise not only what we've done in the last 1516 years. But what we will do over the next. You know 1015 years territory and education Jamie guest here from the pioneer institute has taught inside 680 WRKO. Take one -- are going on March personality -- ha ha ha ha ha -- Jamie. Who do you think yeah I'm not asking you who you root for everything's gonna win I -- into yesterday -- no idea on the big baseball fan -- count the days to spring training so. They leave in the sixty pitchers and catchers report in 62 happens to be by the way Ash Wednesday and where everybody here is gonna go to the early mass. -- Could exceed -- inside look at the LA times. Before you on the -- do -- will have rabbi wolf commanded -- that's a great guy yeah we do like -- on a ceremony. Sure public you do want to know that -- from her sixteenth was the first airline to know but I knew that pitchers and catchers that hot hot hot hot hot hot and that's good. That's good most of our audience is thrilled to see that somebody yeah. Has if you don't McGrath. Jamie yeses here from the pioneer it's just who we bring him into keeping focused on education issues because there are devious people -- work there -- god Democrats who are in bed with teachers unions. And that partnership requires them to regularly be working. Two story educational opportunity into oppose good schools and it sounds like I'm making an outrageous statement you're right I am it happens three completely true. Despite how are outrageous it sounds end though what were monitored today is a new attempt to run education that is by having. The federal government imposed standards. That would do severely undermine what goes on a Massachusetts. Because there were some mavericks here going back eighteen years or so who fought to make tougher educational standards and that has resulted in Massachusetts. Doing better than most states in the country and education they -- I don't they -- how -- -- up -- in the Democrats all the way thank you overstate the kettles. Well less senator Robb O'Leary and -- representative body Walz most recently with the -- of Democrats by the way of the education committee who did this. How big big expansion of the of the Charter Schools in they are not pot of this undermining. Little back channel thing that you describe this is a situation where -- I hesitates reminded Todd because of -- to a few of if you balance beam them. But this is where you know when you want to need the legislature to be active alert informed engaged and if necessary stopping -- governor in his tracks from something that might prove to be harmful to Massachusetts. Well we'll see if that happens once if they -- dig nation that's off. Is because there was money bribing the the people like Duvall Patrick who oppose charter school who opposed. Improving education because they're in bed with the teachers unions they went against -- teachers unions. Then went for the money. And now there's a chance to do the wrong thing to go for the money. And they like to on the wrong thing better than they like to on the right thanks so now we are real problem because we -- money and their natural interest in mind here. In trying to dismantle local control over education on the state level. Jamie how should this be fixed in your opinion board of education you -- -- not even get to take a vote on this this is essentially. The governor and -- to people who sign a document and send -- transmitted to the feds. Maybe the money comes in but then all of a sudden we find a -- not. Descendant you know spiral descent. On standards how how how should this be addressed now it's an excellent question may think you a lot of. What this really speaks to is the stewardship of that reform is your mentioning earlier. Governor's legislative leaders came and went but there was this sense that -- reform as this big package was sacrosanct and I think that's the thing that we've really been concerned about. Over the last three years you know three or so years. Is it you know starting in. 2006. Governor Patrick she got talked about educating the whole child and then it was these softer 21 century skills and then they. Then they got rid of US history M head and what does this. -- I mean what does the whole child. What does that mean ways to -- -- nails as they come to schools code for a move genome and on measurable. Softer -- that's what it did it did are much it's much more difficult to to protect the teachers' unions. From having there are people. Be put under any kind of stresses in terms of measurable performance as avoidance of hard facts that's what it is so what we're trying to get around the analogy is -- on the need. Need help some kids don't perform well some kid should be kept the back that they should not be socially promoted they should not be patted on the back to proposes self esteem would in the DM math. Learn the DM English but numbers are cruel things how how -- -- -- -- because -- -- -- numbers are absolutes is okay as they are they trying to get word and numbers. Leo that's a finger that there was a push for this sort of fuzzier new math several years ago and -- can Massachusetts we've got the highest math standards in the country. You know year or two ago there was the national national math panel it put together 15000 pieces of -- of of our research. An expert in mathematics look at in this at Massachusetts says that the standards and ours are aligned with you know the expectation than a point of the excellence that Massachusetts has. We perform well even in the international so it's not -- raised I thought a great question. When there -- earlier in terms of and it is our. Elevation because everybody else's -- -- doing such a shabby job in the states but then we compare ourselves internationally and -- -- doing very very well there as well so I think that's up that they'll be pretty good documentation that we're on the right track. It its interest -- -- of the members of the board of education's woman seated -- -- who oversaw the crafting of all these frameworks she was also on the national math panel and she's on the verification committee for this. This -- -- common -- -- -- these national standards but her term from on the board that was actually -- a year or two ago when they did the restructuring the clipped her. Her term officer she's going to be she's gonna be off the board of dead in June by contrast. -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- Or the Juno awards finishing American history in the constitution -- -- delta -- oracle don't -- however so you can go right surrender zip it directly know him as a -- one -- cultural competence which again and no one really -- content knows what that really means but again it's -- he got the purpose threat if nobody knows what a major -- -- of the -- That's exactly the purpose why don't actually know day I don't really know what agricultural company remains -- -- supposed to be celebrating diversity and when I was watching Sesame Street -- by the way just as an aside. And should you -- up but not -- I'm nick daylight great -- -- -- is did 22 months old any like Sesame Street then there is it was scary watching. The diversity thing because it was just so far and they they all the kids on the sad live -- say there may be twelve kids in the same. And they're all minority kids of different types except for a couple white kids sort of -- every tight shot was on a minority. And I'm thinking this is confusing to watch this so go so overboard with a that is confusing to watch and I think it's this philosophy that striving education now. Let's teach people to celebrate things rather than org thanks that's what they wanna do an education. Right now essentially true I mean that was one I think one of the real motivations behind him scrapping the US history -- was this idea that they want to back away from a more traditional reading history so. You know George Washington. You know eat you we would need to be converted not endure you know the founding father you'd be you know evil -- were some things -- -- just -- a militaristic. Colonial -- than -- -- -- right so he's no good -- it. Now well. And end this thing too is this a -- in this whole push for 20% her skills again the -- Charlie chip PO. Did today it's in The Herald. Has this great line from these -- -- these advocates for the liberal arts and for academic standards. Did are in DC and they talked about how the -- for century skills they wanna convert. You know these these advocates of -- -- for century skills wanted to in a convert to. Shakespeare into text messages so you know I -- talking about dumbing things down. Two they're gonna teach -- via Twitter. I lost my -- I don't -- opt out yes and no more than two under forty character doesn't see the whole idea behind it is is that the kids dictate the curriculum is not in the adult stone and that way. You know again there's no way to track where the adults know anything we guess our. And to my favorite theme particularly them election -- -- had a hell of these adults who. We have other grownups I am. I hate it when he cannot help but think when you look at the president's budget the deficits a lot of the months since Donald Washington. This type of stuff -- you can't help but think that this country is on it literally a self destructive -- it's not as -- external people doing this to us we do this to ourselves well that's your life easy to make -- convenient as the -- -- -- kid doesn't say oh -- -- -- I guess I gotta repeat all heaven forbid I have to go to summer school. Yeah did you arrest -- summer school and don't do would again. Every mischaracterize what the enemy is here it's not lazy notice it's it's it's politics. It's the power vested interests who have huge leverage over our political system so the teachers unions don't want any pressure on union members to be confident. That's what thereafter they want. People to have seniority. And to live forever in the system no matter how badly they perform. Because that's serves the interest of the teachers unions the teachers' unions give this report to politicians. So the politicians support them and trying to undo standards there would make for better. Case head with a broad brush and inevitably hit some points that a valid I also think and I think Jamie would -- -- like Peter's opinion on. That there are some great teachers out -- people who are drawn to the profession. Inspired by it and yet professionally and personally Todd. They don't resist and they rebel little bit why. Because the kids -- coming from homes where the parents. A look at that easy this convenient self esteem and they did it be the forgotten another -- themselves that life is about race got. To succeed in life you have to sweat for -- so what's the point you're making in contradiction what I just said that if -- that -- teacher does not like professionally being held two days the end of accountability because there's apparent nit -- at home will continue to breed and -- there indifference of the -- I don't their children. Don't think they would mind if they were backed up by the system but when they go to the principal looking for help the principal caves any talks about diverse city. He talks about now -- to upset the system. The whole thing is broken down because it's being politically undermined by the marriage of the Democratic Party to the teachers unions and that's the thing we have to focus on. Is getting Democrats out of power so we. Take the power away from the unions to destroy our ability to control our education Jamie nice you -- comedy -- and then how. First Tom and I haven't had -- fairways you're no I decide to go I appreciate your willingness to talk about it. We know it's -- huge rally in Alpine you can jump in as well -- I was with a point I was trying to make so I think if you if I'm saying they answer our time is not criticize him. No mistake you know I think did this speaker brings up early reports there are tons -- teachers out there there -- I -- and at a charter school the other day in -- and the mystic valley charter school. Tremendous school it's been ranked by US news and more -- Newsweek has one of the best schools in the country. He walked in every classroom the kids are indeed just. Did the kids are diverse but there's also of their owns a picture George Washington and Abraham Lincoln in every room there's. Picture of you know the founding documents on on the wall they're being taught the kind of curriculum that makes their life meaningful to teachers are engaged the enjoy it. And they're succeeding and I think in a lot of what we're trying to do is make sure that all the hard won gains of the last 1617 years. Are perpetuated there were keep going on this trajectory. Sorry appreciate comin' in Jamie gas pioneer institute. They're -- go to the website which is WW playing either either you play in Europe to say this obviously in the city and I figure that putt I went out you're done over the pioneers in institute dot -- Jamie you are always welcome yeah. You're fabulous guy it's great to have people like -- guest McConnell as well as jolly and the whole pioneer institute team self consider this your second home thank okay today. It is an outpost by the way Jamie are married -- -- -- were all happily married man. Wanna stay that way Valentine's Day is coming up right around -- -- guess what I'm ahead of you -- I know that. -- already -- beautiful roses for my bride Donna and I go to them from pro flowers. I don't wanna wait until the last minute in be stuck in a long line waiting for overpriced flawless. And I'm sure look you don't. 99 century continue bride or anybody for that matter flowers at work flow is at all maybe do both. Today is your last chance to get one doesn't a sort of -- I can tell -- they're beautiful they're in the kitchen table right at all. -- get those doesn't sort of grosses with a free glass base for only 1999. Valentine's Day roses that's right you heard me for under twenty boxed in if you've never tried -- -- what are you waiting fought these disorder roses are guaranteed to stay fresh for at least seven days you can't lose trust -- or today and pick your delivery date that is a convincing convincing -- You can that's how you stay out of the dark house and they are guaranteed that they delivery. This unbelievable -- expire his two night so don't wait a minute longer he is what I want you to do to get that doesn't assorted roses the 1999. Call 800 pro -- that's 800 pro flawless and mention time off you can go to profile is dot com. Click on the microphone in the upper right hand corner and enter my password trumpet one more time go to profile -- dot com. Click on the microphone type in password Tom and don't forget. This offer expires tonight Jamie you British he has stay out of the dog house profile is what they expires tonight. Well people best -- long -- Valentine's Day coming up soon. And coming up with -- -- -- we're gonna talk about stock market meltdown is it time to buy gold.