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    Back to To the Point

    To the Point

    Can Obama's Education Chief Save the Nation's Schools?

    Democrats are sharply divided between school  "reformers" and so-called "traditionalists." They circulated competing manifestos during the presidential campaign: one side wants charter schools, merit pay and accountability for teachers; the other says don't blame teachers for failing schools, provide flexibility and better resources.

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    By Warren Olney • May 12, 2014 • 1 min read

    Democrats are sharply divided between school "reformers" and so-called "traditionalists." They circulated competing manifestos during the presidential campaign: one side wants charter schools, merit pay and accountability for teachers; the other says don't blame teachers for failing schools, provide flexibility and better resources. Barack Obama has chosen an education secretary who has endorsed both sides. Will that mean gridlock or will Chicago's Arne Duncan finally overcome the "tired… debates" that have stalled real education reform? What about "No Child Left Behind?"

    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Has Barack Obama Split the Difference on Education Reform?
    1. 1:48White House Steps In to Bail Out Automakers
    2. 7:47Can Obama's Education Chief Save the Nation's Schools?You’re reading this
    3. 42:33Piracy Pays Almost as Well as Working on Wall Street
    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Warren Olney

      former KCRW broadcaster

    • https://images.ctfassets.net/2658fe8gbo8o/AvYox6VuEgcxpd20Xo9d3/769bca4fbf97bf022190f4813812c1e2/new-default.jpg?h=250

      Frances Anderton

      architecture critic and author

    • Sonya Geis with wavy brown hair wearing a black dress with red accents and decorative earrings against a white background.

      Sonya Geis

      Senior Managing Editor

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      Christian Bordal

      Managing Producer, Greater LA

    • KCRW placeholder

      Paul Tough

      author, “The Years That Matter Most: How College Makes or Breaks Us”

    • KCRW placeholder

      Joe Williams

      Executive Director, Democrats for Education Reform

    • KCRW placeholder

      Randi Weingarten

      American Federation of Teachers

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    The full episode

    2 of 3
    Has Barack Obama Split the Difference on Education Reform?
    1. 1:48White House Steps In to Bail Out Automakers
    2. 7:47Can Obama's Education Chief Save the Nation's Schools?You’re reading this
    3. 42:33Piracy Pays Almost as Well as Working on Wall Street
    Back to To the Point