An important decision for legislators as the alternative teacher certification bill moves through the legislature: saving inner city kids or protecting the adult members of teacher unions?
The powerful OpEd in this morning’s Star Trib by North Minneapolis African American leaders Don Samuels (5th ward council member), Sondra Samuels, President of the Peace Foundation and Chanda Baker, Director of Strategic Partners for Pillsbury United Communities is a compelling argument on the moral bankruptcy of the state’s teachers union and their opposition to ‘closing the achievement gap’ reforms touted by the Obama Administration, including alternative teacher certification.
ALT CERT is not the answer in closing the achievement gap but it is part of the answer. It is no coincidence that virtually every successful ‘close the achievement gap’ school and community nationally have been recipients of a broad alternative teacher certification policy that positively impacted their school or community.