Doug Lemov's field notes

Rick Kahlenberg and Cliff Janey have published one of the most elitist responses to the election possible. “Among the most important culprits [in Trump’s election] is the American education system,” they argue.  Within schools there is a “hidden” curriculum of what students observe on a daily basis” and this “no longer reinforces the importance of Democracy.”

So what is it that we do in our schools that erodes the foundations of democracy? We allow choice, which they argue is really about finding a way to get around the pure and vibrant democracy of locally elected school boards who make decisions on behalf of thousands of parents. (Please raise your hand here if you think school board elections represent that sort of vibrant democracy that represents our democratic salvation).

That’s it. That’s democracy: Submit a vote, and then take what you get. If you find a way to advocate for your child’s interest in a way that is not sanctified by a vote, you are undemocratic. By their standard, Russians should take solace in their plebiscites and accept their democratic fortunes.

Anyway, I’m wondering what Rick and Cliff think about wealthy parents sending their kids to private schools? And I also wonder about those middle class families moving to the suburbs to go better schools that the rest cannot afford? Is that democratic or not? Also, the selective magnet schools like those in the Rochester City School District which they trumpet–the same district that features an overall rate of college attendance that is almost under 10% for any but those who ‘elected’ officials favor?

I ask because Rick and Cliff forgot to mention any of those folks in their article. So strange! They just mentioned the poor and minority families who seek out the best option for their kids. They’re the ones at fault. Apparently if you are poor and don’t accept the wisdom of central planning, you are also responsible for the decline of civic society. This is an old story. Parents in poor communities are supposed to sacrifice their kids’ education for the greater good of society while wealthy and middle class (often white) parents are given a pass on a sacrifice they would NEVER make. Is having the rest of society exercise school choice undemocratic too? Do they also tear at the sinews of society? Or is it only when poor and minority parents does democracy becomes so imperative?