Vetting Education Leaders

With the landmark victory of Democratic candidate Barack Obama, the education world readies for another (albeit welcomed) shift in leadership and direction. Will the federally mandated legislation known as No Child Left Behind survive the transition, and if so, what changes will will be made  to both make it more “user”  friendly and less costly and punitive? Many educators (myself included) await anxiously for these new turn of events. One step along this pathway of change will be the choice  President-Elect Obama makes for Secretary of Education. This selection and the possible candidates, is creating quite a buzz in the field of education, and the world of politics in general. Some Ed insiders believe that Obama should choose a new school reformer, a “disruptor” if you will. Others believe that our new President will give thanks to the teacher unions for their support by selecting one of “them”: an old school educator from the trenches. It will be interesting to see the way this one goes because it really will say a lot about the direction of American education. My guess (my hope)? Obama goes disruptor.