Comments on: Duncan and Kopp, but not Klein, are boosted for Obama Cabinet

By: Mickey Constancio

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By: Coy Renfrew

Coy Renfrew — Thu, 06 May 2010 13:43:25 +0000

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By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:27:10 +0000

last point–you’ll be hard pressed to find data that supports the claim that TFA is “phenomenally successful.” TFA has the same bell curve as every other place, and for every great CM, there is one who is equally as bad and doing real harm to some (usually minority) student’s education.

By: Kathy

Kathy — Thu, 20 Nov 2008 21:23:24 +0000

Despite your thoughts on the merits of TFA (I am a prior corps member and staff member); what proven experience or skills does Wendy Kopp bring to the table which would make her qualified to be Secretary of Education? Your ability to run a hospital does not mean you have the ability to operate…and vice versa. Aside from rallying people toward a cause (which is done by TFA staff members and not Wendy Kopp), what does Wendy Kopp bring–in the way of concrete experiences–to this position? Here’s a solution—Barack needs to get someone who has actually had substantial achievements in the educational community…Pedro Noguera, Beverly Hall, Arlene Ackerman, Larry Leverett, Ron Ferguson, Bob Peterkin, hell Bill Cosby the list goes on and on…actual practitioners who are proven and ready…and no offense to Wendy Kopp, but she just isn’t in their ball park.

By: JimmyM

JimmyM — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 02:59:00 +0000

I am an ardent Obama supporter. But if he even considers the dreadful Kopp for Education Secretary, I will lose all hope that he gets it on education.

Kopp knows nothing, as evidenced by an awful interview she gave to Charlie Rose in July. Go to the following link to read about it: http://tinyurl.com/5zjqy6

By: Dan

Dan — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 01:08:45 +0000

2005 TFA Corps Member here. All of the above comments re: TFA are spot-on. With respect to Wendy Kopp as Sec. Educ., I also don’t think her lack of teaching experience should preclude her from serving. It obviously didn’t preclude her from making TFA phenomenally successful. Additionally, if Obama is about anything, it’s breaking the traditional conceptions of what must be done. Kopp would be a radical, outside-the-box pick who would really shake things up.

By: Aaron

Aaron — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 22:07:31 +0000

I am a second year TFA corps member working in Brooklyn, and I have to echo somewhat what the other two TFA members have said. A very common misconception is that TFA is an organization aimed at fixing the educational achievement problem in the classroom, and I think that most people involved with or knowledgeable about the organization know otherwise. The aim is for sweeping education reform, which requires like minded people in all levels of education and political positions. Teach for America puts people in the classroom for two years to bestow people with an appreciation for the current education problems, with a hope that those people will continue to work towards finding a solution from multiple angles – not just in the classroom.

Along the way, the belief is that the corps members do some good for the students (and studies back up this belief citing that on average a first year TFA teacher’s students achieve test scores slightly higher than a 5th year teacher who followed a traditional teacher’s educational route). Whether or not Wendy Kopp should be appointed Secretary of Education is a different story, although I’m not sure that her lack of classroom experience ought to automatically preclude her from consideration, it is definitely something to consider.

By: Ryan

Ryan — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 17:02:33 +0000

As a current TFA corps member, in my first year of teaching, I have to agree that TFA is not part of the problem. As Michelle notes, 60% of our corps does stay in education. Though they may not all remain classroom teachers, they remain lifelong education advocates in areas like public policy, non-profit groups, politics, and the like. In addition, a growing number of our alumni (like Michelle Rhee) go on to lead schools, and whole districts. Here in Baltimore, the city school system has seen great change as TFA alum step up to the plate and help open new schools.

Would Wendy Kopp be the best choice for Secretary of Education… perhaps. Her lack of classroom experience is to her detriment, but her determination, obstinate nature, and years of experience expanding and improving Teach For America are certainly to be seen as merits.

By: Michelle

Michelle — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:29:05 +0000

I am an alumna of TFA and a current staff person. 60% of our Corps members stay in education after their 2 year committment. The idea is to cultivate more Michelle Rhees, Mike Feinbergs, and David Levins as well as more people like Cami Anderson (Superindendent of District 79 in NYC). While I don’t think Wendy Kopp is a strong candidate for Secretary of Education due to her lack of actual teaching experience I do not feel that TFA is part of the problem.

By: Pat M

Pat M — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 20:15:52 +0000

As admirable as the TFA model is to train young people to be teachers, it contributes to the teacher shortage and de-professionalization of teaching because TFA commit to 2 years, then an ovewhelming majority (by TFA’s own data) move on to non-teaching careers. It makes a revolving door of teachers-in-training, good for maintaining openings for the next crop of TFA, not good for a sustainable professional teacher corps who actually dig in to teach in high need areas for the long haul, even the middle haul. How is that a model for US education?

By: Charles

Charles — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 14:35:18 +0000

How about Paul Vallas? He also has Chicago ties, but has since moved on to Philadelphia and Louisiana.

By: Mary

Mary — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 23:53:12 +0000

I’m with Pogue on the choice of Wendy Kopp, I’m not that familiar with Duncan. I’m a second city fan, but wouldn’t choosing him make his team a bit too Chi-town heavy?

By: Pogue

Pogue — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 21:25:37 +0000

Wendy Kopp?! OMG, will this parade of non-educator/for-profit people ever end?!