Posted 1:27 PM by Susan Darst Williams

SCHOOL PROBLEMS IN NEW YORK AND NEBRASKA: DITTO!

Be sure to catch the great essay by Sol Stern on New York City's educational woes, and Mayor Bloomberg's fascinating proposed solutions, on City Journal as picked up by the New York Daily News and other places.

Stern reports that New York City is spending $12 billion a year on its K-12 schools, or $10,000 per pupil, and yet 1,000 of its 1,200 schools are failing.

The mayor is proposing the elimination of 32 community school districts, the removal of redundant bureaucrats, stiff new controls on the procurement system, a lot more power to principals, and renegotiation of stifling union work rules.

I love this strong statement from Stern and see direct connections to Nebraska's educational situation:

"Bloomberg's speech is a vindication of sorts for those of us in the radical school reform movement who have insisted that the school system has plenty of money but not nearly enough accountability and competition."

Amen, Bro.