Taylor Repeats and Punts

I thought that you might want a break from discussing whether or not Taylor's choice of Lee Parks as counsel for his campaign raised any questions about Taylor's "transformation" following his decidedly inappropriate remarks as a Georgia Senator. I thought that if I moved on to a discussion of education, it would take us in a different direction, but as it turned out, the issue of race-based redistricting reared its head again, and Taylor's response may surprise some of his supporters.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution has done a great public service by asking both Cox and Taylor some tough questions on key issues and then publishing the responses. Today, I read the article Cox and Taylor Stands on Education and was absolutely shocked beyond words (almost) at Taylor's answers.

For starters, in response to the reporter's question about race-based redistricting, Taylor's answer adds a layer of concern to the question I raised this morning. The reporter asked whether the candidates thought schools should consider race when setting new attendance lines and whether they thought that the state should be setting such policies regarding school redistricting.

Taylor's response? "I support neighborhood schools. State government should leave the redrawing of school district lines to the local school boards." What if the lines the local boards draw create largely segregated schools? Should state and federal government stay out of this? As one commenter said today, he cannot possibly believe that Georgia has solved our problems of race, discrimination and disparity of treatment.

Then, in response to a question on the evolution/intelligent design debate and whether these topics should be taught in public schools, Taylor said, "Local school boards should decide." Are you kidding me? Sounds like he's been drinking the Kookie Kathy Kool-Aide. Taylor thinks that the science curriculum should be non-standardized in the State of Georgia? He thinks that if a local school board deems it appropriate, then the science curriculum should include a discussion of intelligent design? What if they think it is entirely inappropriate to teach about evolution? Individual school districts should get to make that call? Oh, my goodness. Is he serious?

To three critical questions, Taylor intentionally gave identical, word for word identical, responses. He thinks that the solution to our drop-out rates, our low SAT Scores and adequate school funding is to stop the financial cuts to education and reduce class size. I am sure that this response polled well, but throwing money at these complex problems and reducing class size will not alone provide solutions. In fact, though it may come as a surprise to most, but there is little if any research that supports the idea that student achievement is enhanced simply by reducing class size. In contrast Cox's answers are detailed, on-point, consistent with the research and very do-able.

Let me be clear. I have made no bones about my support for Cox, yet long before I supported Cathy Cox, I spent many, many hours supporting public schools, and the welfare of our schools is much more important to me than whether or not she is elected. Her answers here reinforce my support for her candidacy. I am stunned by not only the "political correctness" of Taylor's responses but the apparent lack of depth and understanding of the problems. Given that I will be supporting whoever emerges from this primary, I find this troubling. More money and smaller classes are not alone the answer for our education woes. We need a the greater vision and leadership that Cox offers on these issues. I hope that you will read the whole article, if you have not already.

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