Lynn Olson’s article on the Dodd and Kennedy national standards bill (New Bills Would Prod States to Take National View on Standards) helpfully explains the similarities and differences between the two proposals and tries to tease out their prospects of enactment and background dynamics.
However, the article leaves out two key facts: Kennedy’s bill was dropped -- coincidentally or not -- the same afternoon that the Dodd announcement went out, and -- I’ll say this as long as I have to -- Eduwonk Andy isn’t really the best (most dispassionate or knowledgeable) source to comment on this. Click below to read more.What outsiders might not understand is that there are two rivalries going on here -- Dodd Vs. Kennedy and Dannenberg Vs. Rotherham -- and both are substantive and institutional.
That’s why using Andy as a main source is problematic. National standards are a debate the he hasn’t had much at all to do with. From his recent blogging he seems more favorably disposed towards Kennedy’s office than Dodd’s. The Dodd event didn’t include the Ed Sector.
There’s also the issue of expertise. The national standards debate predates Andy’s arrival on the scene and its consideration lies outside his extremely brief and inconsequential experience in . Better choices? Vic Klatt, Kevin Kosar, Mike Cohen, Danica Petroshius.
PS: Best blogger post title on the topic? It’s from Schools Matter: Dodd on Arrival
Disclosure: I spent a lot of my time on the Hill trying to outflank the Kennedy office. I am frequently annoyed by Andy’s antics and the media’s over-use of him for quotes.