For an American electorate, the waiting is over and the votes are in. Across the board – nationally and locally – Democrats won big at the polls on Tuesday. Republican losses signal a Democratic takeover in the U.S. House of Representatives. Democrats also appear to have taken control of the U.S. Senate, thanks to a razor-thin victory by Jim Webb over incumbent Senator George Allen.
Democratic candidates for the North Carolina General Assembly also fared well, picking up seats in both the House and Senate. Even embattled Speaker Black, the subject of scandal and scrutiny, managed to hang on to his House seat by a mere 7 votes.
In other election news, North Carolina voters gave the green light to more local school spending, passing 2 of the largest school bonds in the state. Voters approved Winston-Salem Forsyth County’s $250 million bond package by a ratio of almost 2 to 1. In Wake County, 53 percent of voters said “yes” to a $970 million bond referendum, the largest school bond ever in North Carolina.
What do shifts in political leadership portend for public education? Higher spending will be the order of the day. Obviously, the bonds signal a boom in school construction, raising property taxes locally. In the North Carolina General Assembly, education policies are likely to offer more of the same: lots of dollars for the same programs with little innovation.
Nationally, the impending reauthorization of No Child Left Behind (NCLB) will reignite Congressional debate over standards, accountability, and funding. NCLB and its testing/accountability model has been a frequent target of criticism from educators and lawmakers alike. Before the election, President Bush sought to shore up support for renewing his signature legislation during a recent visit to a Greensboro elementary school.
Post-election, legislators may be more inclined to relax accountability and attach more funds to NCLB. Surely, officials at the National Education Association (NEA) and their pro-union cohorts are elated with that prospect.
At the Alliance, our commitment to reforming public education remains steadfast, regardless of which way the political winds are blowing. We will continue our mission of providing you with the most timely and comprehensive information on K-12 education. With that in mind, please join us for a luncheon in Raleigh at noon on November 29th as we highlight the work of Joanne Jacobs, education reformer, writer, and creator of a nationally-known education blog.
Ms. Jacobs will discuss her new book, Our School: The Inspiring Story of Two Teachers, One Big Idea, and the School That Beat the Odds, chronicling the creation, struggle, and success of Downtown College Prep, a San Jose charter school. Please make your reservation today, as seating is limited.
Another election has come and gone, altering the balance of political power. But for education reformers, our work remains. Let’s get to it.