9/6/2011: This was billed as a major policy speech for his education plans. From Harry Esteve in the Oregonian:
“The state does not run the schools. The state invests in schools,” Kitzhaber says. “As long as students are progressing and succeeding, why shouldn’t we let go of some of the cumbersome and wearying regulation the state hands down?”
It was the first time I’ve heard him talk, and it was a well delivered speech. The message was generally consistent with the new partnership plan – invest, shared responsibility, measure outcomes, more independence – but a lot of the focus was on the importance of K-3 outcomes.
So why doesn’t he do anything about Pernsteiner?
Pernsteiner’s contract is up in May. The OUS board is going to have to decide by Dec or so whether or not to renew it. I expect there will be enough documentation in the public record by then for that to be an easy decision.
Kitzhaber wants 100 percent high school completion. 50 percent completion of 4 years college or more. This is utopian nonsense! Already, the median UO student is at about the 85th percentile. Imagine if we had to sink to 70th, or 50th. We would essentially be teaching remedial courses all the time!