Ed Reform and Local Control

An op-ed in the Huffington Post here questions the wisdom of turning much of the education in Michigan over to a nonprofit corporation running schools called EAA  (Education Achievement Authority) Schools.  

What’s happening with the EAA schools in Detroit reminds me of Winston Churchill’s comment that  “no one pre­tends that democ­racy is per­fect or all-wise. Indeed it has been said that democ­racy is the worst form of Gov­ern­ment except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Yes, Detroit schools are struggling, but to take them away from local control seems to me like saying, “Yes, we’re having economic problems.  Let’s appoint a dictator with absolute power.”

It takes longer for local districts to work out their own problems, but the reforms that result will be more durable and more suited for that community.