Hatch's Tempest in a Teapot

I know I'm not the first to write about Mike Hatch's fake agitation on the releasing of the "adequate yearly progress report" but this proves a pattern that Hatch doesn't get it with the new media age. Let's first deal with why this 'issue' isn't a big deal:
Usually the department releases the information, known as the adequate yearly progress report, around State Fair time. That's a change the department says is allowed by law. The department and schools needed the extra time because of new tests. An earlier release might have meant incorrect information would be shared, according to the department.
Does Hatch want schools to distribute reports that potentially contain faulty information? Or is he just being his usual whiny self?

Now let's look at Education Commissioner Alice Seagren's response:
The attorney general's office simply doesn't understand the education law. "He was way off base on this," Seagren said of Hatch's complaint. She said the progress reports' delay was well known by those in education circles. There were hearings at the state Legislature about it this year, and all but one legislator voted to approve the delayed release date for this year's data. "There were plenty of opportunities for the Office of the Attorney General to learn about this issue or weigh in on this issue if they had a position. You did not, nor did any representatives from your office," Seagren wrote in a second letter Tuesday to Hatch's office.
It's impossible to believe that Hatch didn't know about this issue, especially after public hearings were held on it. Rather, I think Hatch suffers from a bigger problem. He's still operating like the Right Blogosphere doesn't exist. He's acting like he can say whatever he wants and get away with it. Far too many politicians make that mistake. Hatch is still operating in a world where he could bully people and get away with it because he could count on the Strib to run interference for him. Simply put, that's a fool's strategy. That's the strategery of a losing candidate.
This year's progress reports needed to be delayed, education officials said, because in 2006, grades 3 through 8, 10, and 11 took the Minnesota Comprehensive Assessments. In 2005, the tests were only given in grades 3, 5, 7, 10 and 11. State education officials also crafted the new test to reflect higher academic standards. It was scored on a different scale, a key factor in determining the rigor of an exam. Those tests, and a host of other assessment figures, are used to figure out if schools have made or failed to make adequate yearly progress.
Perhaps Mr. Hatch should familiarize himself with the logic behind the delay before he goes off on another ill-advised diatribe. It might save him the embarassment of getting his head handed him by the Right Blogosphere. Then again, it's a free country. Hatch can make an idiot out of himself if he likes.


Posted Sunday, August 20, 2006 10:58 AM

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