Monday, July 14, 2008

Potshot?

IE:

LT and supporters would just come up with another reason not to be open-minded.


This after claiming the only way to proceed is to get rid of Robinson.

Does IE not realize that claiming there is one course of action and that it's already been decided is the very antithesis of open-minded?

For that matter, I disagree with framing the issue around whether or not Robinson stays as Superintendent. I know that IE has concluded that progress can only happen if Robinson leaves, but there are a lot of us for whom that conclusion has not been reached. Personally, I think the question should not be whether or not Robinson stays, but what the district's students need - and whether or not Robinson can make that happen. Bear in mind that part of doing his job is reaching out to the public and achieving buy-in from all relevant stakeholders. Also bear in mind that as someone with a PhD in Education, he's in a good position to help determine what it is that students need going into the 21st century.

The second problem with framing the issue around Robinson - a person - is that it ignores the process being used to make decisions at the upper levels of the district. For me, that's the pre-eminent issue. While Mr. Alexander has more than convinced me he's not interested in democratic decisionmaking, Robinson is not exactly passing with flying colors on this one either. (Again, convincing the public that decisions are being made well is part of the Superintendent's job - I believe the term is "public relations.") I have yet to hear IE or anyone else defend Mr. Alexander's method of making decisions, and I would love to, as I consider the process that has been used in many cases indefensible.

Also, this:

You know, if I showed up regularly at board meetings, LT and I would still disagree...


Amazingly convenient how that insinuates that there's no point to actually going and seeing what happens in board meetings firsthand, mere days after IE gets flack for not attending. However, if the Zurcher letter proved anything, it's that there's no substitute for first-hand knowledge.

7 comments:

IE said...

Dennis -- Thank you for re-stating that I believe Robinson needs to go before the district can even begin to heal. At least I know that piece has accurately been heard. I do not expect all to agree.

I do not think Rick always proceeds in the best ways at board meetings. I also think he of a different "culture" than most who slam him.

I don't care about his PhD in education. Sorry, but "that don't impress me much." I am sure there are many holders of PhDs in education who would seriously disagree with him in many domains.

And touting a PhD is not going to be helpful in this community where behavior towards others speaks louder than an academic degree.

And (one more thing before I really need to go to work)there are many in academia who consider a PhD in education (vs. some other major) to be lacking in rigor. So it won't impress those without higher education, and won't impress many of us with it.

Anonymous said...

IE said: (And touting a PhD is not going to be helpful in this community where behavior towards others speaks louder than an academic degree.)

True example of class envy. Because we do not have the education to qualify us to lead, let us tear down the educated person so they will be at the same level with us. IE I am glad that you work and do not spend all your time writing. You should also go back to school and maybe earn yourself a PhD.

Dennis said...

Here's the funny thing about degrees: They are placebos, placeholders. They represent the work one has done to earn the degree, but are, in and of themselves, pieces of paper. In this case, it's not strictly speaking the fact that Robinson has a PhD in Education, but that he did the work to get it. At least when I reference the fact (if I ever do) that he has a PhD, that's why. It doesn't automatically make him better than anyone else; it means he did something relatively difficult, and, presumably, learned something along the way that's relevant to education. While it is possible to gain the same amount of expertise without the degree, it's incredibly difficult and unlikely; that's why the degree means something.

And I'm sorry, IE. Dismissing a PhD so cavalierly is just silly. Try telling someone who is in the middle of writing their dissertation that their degree isn't very valuable. I'll send flowers to your funeral.

IE: "And touting a PhD is not going to be helpful in this community where behavior towards others speaks louder than an academic degree."

I'm sorry, did you just defend an anti-education bias? Kind of ironic given the topic at hand, isn't it?

Again: Not the degree, but what it represents.

Anonymous said...

Well put Dennis!

Anonymous said...

"I have yet to hear IE or anyone else defend Mr. Alexander's method of making decisions, and I would love to, as I consider the process that has been used in many cases indefensible."

Dennis, why do you continue to proclaim that we need to begin asking what is best for the kids and then resort to the same old Robinson vs. Alexander mantra? Trying to prove which one is the lesser of two evils is foolish and only serves to further the divide the community.

It's clear whose "team" you're on, now why don't you try something different and tell us what you think the district needs. Should people keep their concerns to themselves and leave the district to do their jobs? Just accept the way things are? Surely you have something more productive and original to add to the debate?

Dennis said...

Hm. Maybe because the behavior of Mr. Alexander affects the lives of students in the district? Maybe because the process used by the school board to make decisions affects students in the district?

Future comments that either suggest I'm on someone's team or ignore that fact that I have said multiple times what my interest in the LCSD is - democratic, open decision-making processes, among other things - may not be published. Do your fuckin' homework, people.

Anonymous said...

"Surely you have something more productive and original to add to the debate?"

Guess he doesn't.

 
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