If demanding accountability — based on honest data — makes me a cynic, then make me a proud one. This town is loaded with editorial boards who have been back-slapping the Kleinberg regime, soaking up the spin from Tweed and City Hall without much attempt to fact-check, and worse: ignoring parents’ voices, parents who believe school SHOULD be about serving children’s needs — not politicians’ needs.

Why is it when the adult/child dichotomy is pushed, the only “adults” in the cross-hairs are the teachers? (This goes double for Chancellor Klein, who wrote an essay for Huffington Post a few months back essentially accusing teachers of being the obstacles to the civil rights of students.)

Last, the phony litmus test of teacher enthusiasm — as measured by their willingness to tolerate unpaid work on that scale — is the height of cynicism. I too am a product of enthusiastic public school teachers. But I didn’t begrudge them fair wages. (Prior GS articles have covered the subjects of unionization and/or long hours in some charters and the all-too-predictable impact on teacher turnover.)

Last, I would encourage all commenters to refocus on policy and less on the personal sniping.

Per IO, if teachers had passion, they would work pro bono, and Con Ed would leave their lights on in support. Sheesh.