Karen Handel: Does she have a big picture vision for education or is she just looking for run-off votes?
Karen Handel wants to reform Georgia schools through "local flexibility and choice."
Having seen Karen Handel outline her education plan at the Georgia School Boards Association meeting in Savannah last month, I was underwhelmed. More relevant to this election, so were many of the school board members I talked to after the panel, most of whom were from outside metro Atlanta. They weren’t really clear what Handel was going to do to help their systems, if anything, based on her comments to them.
As I reported at the time, Handel said, “I am not going to lay out my legislative agenda here today. But my pledge to you is that I will have your leadership at the table. But I can tell you one thing I won’t do; I am not going to have the budget balanced on the backs of teachers and furloughs.”
In fact, Handel and her run-off opponent Nathan Deal had the least concrete plans of any of the GOP candidates on the panel, which I found odd since they were speaking to the elected officials from across the state whose only focus was schools. (Eric Johnson had the boldest idea, vouchers, but it was the least attractive to the school boards.)
Perhaps aware of her shortcomings in education ideas, Handel just sent out this release, although nothing here jumps out at me and yells “Big picture vision for education.”
You may see more innovation in her ideas than I do: (You can read her ideas in greater detail here.)
Former Secretary of State and candidate for Governor Karen Handel today rolled out her plan for 21st Century education reform in Georgia.
“We must all unite to ensure that every child has access to a high quality education and the opportunity to graduate from high school and be prepared for whatever is next – whether that is college or technical school or another path toward workforce preparedness,” Karen said.
The Handel Plan focuses on:
- Creating 21st Century classrooms that leverage technology and partner with community organizations and the private sector to enhance learning
- Recruiting and retaining the best and brightest as teachers by reinstating the Master Teacher Program, recruiting top candidates for teaching positions and rewarding teachers for success.
- Declaring a “state of emergency” on Georgia’s drop-out rate using teachers and technology to detect at-risk students and bringing technical college programs into middle schools to provide an alternative path for those students who will not be pursuing a four-year degree path.
- Reforming the system through local flexibility and choice.
- Creating a 21st Century workforce
- Using transparency and cost savings to focus educational dollars on classroom education
- Creating a new funding model for education in Georgia
“Education will be a top priority as Governor,” Karen said today. “We will fix education in Georgia in a way that will become a model for other states and our children top competitors in the 21st Century economy.”
Handel has previously released detailed plans on ethics reform, job creation and economic expansion and permanently cutting the state workforce.
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72 comments Add your comment
Hmmmm
July 27th, 2010
7:08 am
and that should be quit, not quite….too early in the am.
WOW
July 27th, 2010
7:09 am
@ Bob fromacworth comparing Handel to Bill Gates is like comparing apples and oranges. There clearly is no comparison. When it comes to education, we know where Georgia stands. We don’t need our children saying, ” The govenor doesn’t have an education, why should I?”
schooled
July 27th, 2010
8:36 am
How would vouchers help small systems or counties?
john konop
July 27th, 2010
8:36 am
I have had the opportunity to talk to Karen Handel direct about her position on education. In all due respect I think Maureen has an issue with Karen supporting a multi-track system over the one size fit all Kathy Cox/No Child Left Behind style that Maureen supports.
Karen was very clear she understands breaking down the walls between agencies to help coordinate students with Tec/vocational and 4 year colleges is key in helping with the drop-out rate and providing quality education for all.
I had the same conversation with John Barge, Joe Martin and Barnes chief of staff and all agree with Karen Handel above approach. And in fact the Libertarian candidate supports multi-track education.
Anyone who knows Karen cannot deny she would be very affective breaking down walls to make the above happen.
Child of the 60s
July 27th, 2010
9:21 am
The first strike against Handel is her endorsement by Palin. Secondly, let’s remember that candidates will say most anything to get votes.
Any diploma on her wall?
July 27th, 2010
9:48 am
Diploma…..where are you??????
Any diploma on her wall?
July 27th, 2010
9:52 am
Let’s see; she quit high school, she quit college, she quit her job on the Fulton County Commission, she quit her job as Secretary of State.
No wonder Sarah Palin likes her!
WOW
July 27th, 2010
9:59 am
Why would you put down a woman like Karen that made it against the odds? If you disagree on issues make your point, but your nasty comments say more about you!
WOW
July 27th, 2010
10:48 am
No one has said anything nasty about Karen… People have simply stated their views about the value of education and their views about her not having one. Georigia is already at the bottom compared to other states. Do we really need a govenor who is not educated?
john konop
July 27th, 2010
11:14 am
The reason the drop-out rate is so high in my opinion is the lack of understanding of reality by the education establishment. Karen Handel is a living example of why we cannot have a one size fit all system or too many kids will fall through the cracks.
I respect and like Maureen but I think she is flat out wrong that every kid must be on a 4 year college track. And I have worked with many successful people in business that graduated from college.
Finally the IQ test was first used for placing soldiers in the proper job based on aptitude. What I find amazing is the snobbish educational establishment has manipulated this concept into picking what aptitude is considered intelligent. The person that does my plumbing fixes my car, cuts my hair is talented. As someone who deals with issues with dyslexia, I realize we all have gifts and drawbacks.
john konop
July 27th, 2010
11:15 am
….And I have worked with many successful people in business that did not graduate from college……
Maureen Downey
July 27th, 2010
11:23 am
@John, Here is the issue that is troubling about Karen Handel. She has explained her lack of college on her troubled family life. But she has had many opportunities to go back to school throughout her career. She could have easily obtained an associate’s degree. She could have even found a college that would have given her credit for her life experiences.
The fact is that she is a young woman with no kids and a good income and, had education mattered, could have easily attended college. All of us know people with demanding jobs and families who went to school at night and now are lawyers or teachers. Karen Handel could have taken one course a semester and been done by now, if education mattered to her.
I am not saying that she needed a degree to be successful. However, I am saying that she does not put the premium on education that many people feel a governor must to effectively lead, especially in a state that has suffered from too little focus on education, not too much.
I sit near a woman whose mother recently got her degree; she was 88 at the time.
When Handel began to contemplate higher office, I am surprised no one said, “Start going to college at night, one course at a time. It will tell voter that you believe in education.”
I am genuinely surprised that she did not get that advice from her political circle.
I also don’t get why she doesn’t just tell voters what her education background is rather than sidestepping the issue. SHow them her high school diploma and then she can move out from under that cloud of suspicion.
Maureen
john konop
July 27th, 2010
11:43 am
Maureen Downey,
You cannot argue Karen is very successful and accomplishment woman. And she had run twice as hard and fast to get ahead in life. Also anyone who has ever dealt with Karen knows she is very bright and driven.
As you know I have been very open and honest about candidates regardless to party. You could fine positive and negative comments from me based on the person, not a political party agenda.
The biggest issue we are facing today is the drop-out rate in our state. No matter which candidate I have talked to they all know the current rate in reality is around 50% when you do the REAL MATH. And we do not change this trend it will be a major economic burden on the state.
I think Karen would be a role model to what a kid in difficult situation can overcome with persistence and hard work. Also because of her situation she would have a very good ear and have more realist solutions to the problems with what kids face.
I think we need more people outside the traditional education establishment to have a voice. The reason people like me early and often were critical and right about the problems with No Child Left Behind one size fit all system is because as an outsider with issues (dyslexia) it gives you a different perspective about forcing people in box or throwing them away.
Dalton Whitfield
July 27th, 2010
3:02 pm
Our Lieutenant Governor Casey Cagle does not have a college degree. How many of you voted for him?http://caseycagle.com/?page_id=28
Help Us...
July 27th, 2010
4:41 pm
There are many people who have became successful regardless of their childhood. That doesn’t qualify them to be govenor. As a state, we are in an education crisis and something needs to be done. Electing a govenor who does not value education is not the answer. Like Maureen said, someone should have adviced her to go to school.
Any diploma on her wall?
July 27th, 2010
9:46 pm
Still no evidence of a diploma…we’re waiting (and asking for proof, not being nasty)
MB
July 28th, 2010
12:40 pm
Class size – here’s what was in effect for last year. From scuttlebutt, it seems that Fulton’s basic plan is to staff at these numbers and then, as someone said, add from there. I think the difference will be that there have been smaller classes in Fulton and those will be far harder to find next year. (AP, for example, or specialty music classes – e.g., special chorus, orchestra, band.)
http://public.doe.k12.ga.us/DMGetDocument.aspx/GaDOE%20Waiver%20Request%20Letter%20and%20Information.pdf?p=6CC6799F8C1371F6D75E81A462FB23085752B797FE849F24CE0C64A73399F083&Type=D
Joy In Teaching
July 28th, 2010
1:21 pm
Let’s see: so she doesn’t believe that every student in the state of Georgia should go to college? And she wants to implement alternate ways for our students to be successful?
It’s about damned time someone running for office actually listened to teachers when we say that the “college for all” idea isn’t working.
I don’t care that she doesn’t have a college degree. I’ve met some pretty stupid people along the way who had college degrees as well as many brilliant, talented people who don’t.
She’s got my vote!
Any diploma on her wall?
July 28th, 2010
4:48 pm
Still no evidence that she has a diploma. No company would be able to hire her for an executive position – Why should the State of Georgia?
I agree that college is not for all.
But I am asking to see a HIGH SCHOOL diploma; you’re confusing the issue on purpose.
And, even if college is not for all, it certainly is for state leaders.
I just want her to publish her high school diploma to prove she has one. Why hasn’t she done that? Not doing so invites the conclusion that she doesn’t have one.
She has quit every job she has held and dropped out of high school and college.
We cannot afford to elect this person who never seems to see a job through, whatever the sad, sad reason she concocts.
john konop
July 28th, 2010
5:06 pm
Just the facts!
Famous, Rich, and Successful People
Who Were High School or College Dropouts
I’m a firm believer that most college students would be better off dropping out of school and investing the money they now spend on college. Then take the four years they would have spent on college and travel, work, play, and spend time with smart people talking about important things. It would be your choice on what’s important, not a professor, not a dean, not a faculty committee.
You don’t have to go to college to be a success. Even if you go for awhile, you don’t have to graduate to be a success. Here are just a few of the people who have become famous and/or successful without graduating from college and/or high school.
A survey conducted by Bloomberg in 2010 show that the school of hard knocks was the number one source (tied with the University of California) for CEOs of S&P 500 companies. Harvard was the #3 source (along with the universities of Texas, Missouri, and Wisconsin). The school of hard knocks features CEOs who never graduated from college.
http://www.collegedropoutshalloffame.com/
Any diploma on her wall?
July 28th, 2010
5:51 pm
Once again, I am looking for a HIGH SCHOOL diploma. I just want to see an actual HIGH SCHOOL diploma from this candidate who has asked for my vote.
Why is that so much to ask?
What is she hiding?
Marge
July 30th, 2010
8:24 pm
If Handel thinks she knows anything about education, she should have first began with herself…never obtaining a college degree!!! Hard to believe that someone who as never finished college, never been a legislator can be so full of themselves…It’s called “delusions of grandeur”. She should be embarassed to claim she has any expertise in education. She never had any children just ambition so there is no excuse for her not getting a college degree. She is not the brightest bulb in the room and Sarah Palin has diminished her stature but just endorsing “women candidates” whom she does not know and whom she has never worked with….They are looking like a bunch of “groupies”.