While adminisrators are compiling reasons /rationales for being unwilling to accept the A-F school labels in the Commonwealth, it would be prudent also for politicians in the Old Dominion to avoid any political fallout due to bad judgement related to this system of labels. In addition to being a method for creating negative atmospheres in public schools, the A-F grading system could also be tempting for politicians to maintain favor among individuals in places of power or as a favor.
Take for example Tony Bennett, who was the former Commissioner of of Education for the state of Indiana. He left Indiana in January to assume a similar position in Florida and then resigned his position effective August 1. Now we all know that school administrators have been known to shft assignments like chess pieces on a board. Most moves are for professional growth. For Mr. Bennett the accusation of altering the A-F rating of a school operated by one of his political donors was enough for him to pack up and leave the Sunshine state. You can imagine that this poor judgement call by Bennett will resonate in other states using/considering A-F labels. According to a recent blog in Education Week (August 5) “…the controversy stemming from his previous post in Indiana might alter the political environment around K-12 oversight and accountability and trigger tougher questions for advocates of state policies that award letter grades to schools.”http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2013/08/05/37florida.h32.html?tkn=LSYFsgRGavYUw9d6tdFXyX%2FzEImyI6c0Nmhr&cmp=ENL-EU-NEWS2
Just an FYI Virginia politicians: political donations and educational favors now have a track record of not mixing.
