Regents responsibililty?

Educational responsibility

The Buffalo News article, Several city schools face 'radical intervention' by Mary B. Pasciak January 30, 2011 and the online comments seem to beg the question of whose responsible for education. I am amazed that Dr. Steiner, the Board opf Regents and the State Educational Department can distance themselves from the present state of education in urban areas. It is ironic there seems to be an amnesia when it comes to the last decade of “No Child Left Behind”. Wasn’t it the State that both backed and promoted the idea that the strong man of accountability would usher in a gilded age for education? Wasn’t it the State that set the parameters, standards and dolled out the money for what should happen in education? Why is it the State hierarchy is quick to blame Unions, Superintendents, Administrators, Schools, Teachers and even Parents? Why does there seem to be such a lack of self- reflection and humility on their part? Could we not hear at least an attempt to answer why the State initiatives of the last ten years have evidently failed miserably? Again, why is it we are so gullible to believe the story that leaves the State leaders without responsibility? Most of all, why in heavens name, do we believe that these present “radical interventions” will impact education positively?

Robert Tyrrell