N.A.A.C.P. Is Bush Ally in Connecticut School Case [Sorry, Dem Party leaders...]

The NYT ^ | Feb 1, 2006 | AVI SALZMAN

[summer]

Interesting news. Also from the article:

At the same time, N.A.A.C.P. representatives held a news conference outside the courthouse announcing the organization's decision to intervene. Scot X. Esdaile, the president of the Connecticut branches of the N.A.A.C.P., said the organization was aligning itself with the Bush administration "on this particular issue and only this particular issue."

Mr. Esdaile said he had received approval to intervene from the N.A.A.C.P.'s national leadership.

[summer]

As I have said before, I really think Dem candidates in the future will be losing elections because of this education issue. (Sorry, Dem leaders!!!)

But it's such an important issue, and so difficult on so many levels.

Even if you disagree with federal intervention in education, as I know many on this forum do, I still think you have to give GW (and FL Gov Jeb Bush) a lot of credit for not letting go or backing off from their desire to improve public education for minority kids. Their dedication to this issue has been remarkable -- and puts the GOP in a position of leadership in the eyes of many voters who in the past would never have voted GOP.

Just my opinion.

[reelfoot]

Hope Connecticut prevails. Unfunded mandates are an unconstitutional impingement on the sovereignty of the states. Of course, NCLB is itself an unconsitutional federal exercise in education. But the president, congress, and federal courts have long ago proven that they don't much care for the 9th and 10th amendments.

I hope both the Bush administration and the NAACP get slapped down on this.

[summer]

I have to tell you -- if they fail, as you hope, then: the picture looks pretty bleak for those kids.

[summer]

From article re money:

Federal officials contend that the state must test every year from third through eighth grade and that state officials were aware of that when they accepted federal money to create those tests.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

It seems that this one is an unfunded mandate, pure and simple. NAACP plainly has other goals in reserve that must overcome "unfunded mandates".

[reelfoot]

"I have to tell you -- if they fail, as you hope, then: the picture looks pretty bleak for those kids."

When you say "if they fail", who do you refer to as "they"?

[summer]

YEs, the NAACP is saying they have a larger view in mind, and that is as follows: states can not ignore federal laws aimed to help minorities. I think the NAACP was wise to set aside politics and side with GW on this issue. Because I have say, again, this achievement is not going away without a constant push and shove by the GOP.

[summer]

YEs, the NAACP is saying they have a larger view in mind, and that is as follows: states can not ignore federal laws aimed to help minorities. I think the NAACP was wise to set aside politics and side with GW on this issue. Because I have say, again, this achievement gap is not going away without a constant push and shove by the GOP.

[summer]

The same ones you referred to as "they." (CT and those on the side of CT in this lawsuit.)

[summer]

PS My apologies to for any misunderstanding. Thanks for asking before going ballistic for no reason! :)

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

The unfunded mandate looms large here. As to NCLB, how many USG programs of a similar purpose have failed repeatedly at taxpayer expense?

answer.....every one of them. Enough is enough.

[Clemenza]

Don't get me started on how school districts in the northeast segregate black and latino kids through the "redlining" of school district boundaries.

I'm not a fan of NCLB, but the law is the law.

[summer]

Well, you may have good points, too.

But, in light of the fact the public school in the very near future is predicted to have 1) few white kids, and 2) mostly black and Hispanic kids -- who are known to have a very high drop out rate, then:

what do you propose instead of No Child?

You're making the same argument made by many Dems, but so far, they, too, are silent as to any other educational solution re: this looming crisis for our future population.

[summer]

And, I'll tell you something, Clemenza, as I know you are very familiar with both FL and NY, just as I am: others like us have also commented to me how there is MORE discrimination in the NE than in the South. MUCH MORE. Knowing both places -- I believe it's true. However, in the NE, they try to do their discrimination a lot more quietly than anywhere else!

[summer]

In rereading your post #3, I think I actually meant this: If they fail (meaning GW and the NAACP)... sorry! :)

[summer]

FYI.

[Vn_survivor_67-68]

"what do you propose instead of No Child?"

Parents sending their kids to school prepared and motivated to learn. NOTHING else will do!

[AbeKrieger]

Even a broken clock....

[summer]

Julie, I meant to ping you to this thread. Also, I thought your friend who is with the new black national GOP group might find this interesting. summer