Rex’s “Failure” Czar Has Failing Record
In the latest public relations gimmick aimed at “helping” South Carolina’s ever-expanding roster of failing schools, State Superintendent of Education Jim Rex has announced the appointment of a “Failure Czar” for the Palmetto State.
No really … we’re not kidding.
There’s just one problem … like our state’s “dropout factories” (Rex’s term), South Carolina’s “Failure Czar(ina)” is something of a failure herself.
According to an article posted today on The Voice, Rex’s new “Failure Czarina” Amanda Burnette has overseen not one – but two – failing S.C. schools.
We know, we know … you’re probably waiting for us to tell you that she turned both schools around. That’s what we were waiting for, too …
But like a bad joke with no punch line, The Voice story highlights how Burnette’s record is one of taking bad (or average) schools and … get this … making them worse. In fact, no school she has overseen has ever elevated its rating on South Carolina’s school report cards.
At her most recent school – J.V. Martin Junior High in Dillon, S.C. – Burnette continued the same failed approaches as her predecessor. In fact, according to school report cards, J.V. Martin remained in the “at risk” (formerly “unsatisfactory,” formerly “failing”) category in both of her years at the school.
This despite the fact that the school was touched (twice) with the healing hand of “The One.”
“Amanda Burnette perpetuated the same failing policies at JV Martin that were crafted and implemented by former principal Danny R. Price in 2005 and 2006,” the Voice story reveals.
But wait, it only gets worse from there.
Before arriving at J.V. Martin, Burnette “guided” John E. Ewing Middle School in Gaffney, S.C. from an “Average” rating in 2004 to a “Below Average” rating in 2005 and 2006.
Prior to that, she took Blacksburg Elementary in Cherokee County from a “Good” rating in 2001 down to “Average” ratings from 2002-04.
And this is the woman that Rex says is the “ideal person” to turn around failing schools across South Carolina?
Amazing …
Also interesting is how Burnette was pleased to accept $250,000 in furniture donations to J.V. Martin in the wake of President Barack Obama’s high-profile advocacy for the school, but opposes private companies providing scholarships to children in failing schools.
Comments
By FormerEducator on June 17th, 2009 at 11:06 am
Total political pandering.
Rex must be really gunning for position and privilege in national Democratic circles.
Just as Jim wants to bring K12’s failure and waste to ALL aspect of SC State Government, so can Burnette bring low expectations and poverty pimping to all the failing schools.
Someone needs to get these kids OUT of those schools. Shut their doors and give them scholarships or grants! I saw this all the time – people are pulled out of the classroom and into leadership either because of bad teaching or pure showmanship!
By Rick Adkins on June 17th, 2009 at 11:35 am
I was on the SBE when this lady was appointed/hired to JV Martin. She has made improvements to the school. Both academically and from a cosmetic standpoint. Unfortunately, she did not stay there long enough. I think if she would have stayed longer, and the leadership would have changed, you would have seen remarkable changes.
If you have not met Ms. Burnette, I would suggest that you sit down with her. She has a “can do” attitude, in a district that the superintendent considers “hopeless”.
She may very well be a future candidate for Superintendent of Education in SC. As conservative as I am, I would consider supporting her, regardless which side of the aisle she sits.
By Scott on June 17th, 2009 at 12:23 pm
Rick Adkins’ comments (above) are telling.
South Carolina’s public school classrooms desperately need teachers who are effective at instructing students and the schools and districts need leaders who serve as a catalyst for such quality instruction.
No doubt Rick is right. I imagine that Ms. Burnette does have a great attitude and is a nice enough person.
But the data seem clear. Based on the FITS and V4SC articles it looks like she has either sustained poor performance or worsened that performance in each of her last three assignments.
For an important assignment like turning failing schools around, qualifications out to exceed personality and attitude; they ought to include real accomplishment.
By Seth on June 17th, 2009 at 12:34 pm
Failing is failing, period. Rick – she may have a “can do” attitude, but if she can’t get the job done, she shouldn’t be hired.
Our failing schools deserve better. Our children deserve better. We need someone willing to accept responsibility, call a spade a spade and promote real commonsense solutions.
School choice would place the power of education in the hands of those who are directly impacted by its success or failure. Stop leaving education up to a bunch of politicians who’s goal is to get reelected or fill their bank accounts.
We owe our children more.
By Hmmmmm on June 17th, 2009 at 12:54 pm
Once again isnt this the SC Educational System rewarding the poor performers??? Why not take someone from a PROVEN SUCCESSFUL program/school and give them the reigns?
But in SC we dont want people to succeed so we reward and promote those who cannot or will not over achieve. We reward those who “try” or have a “positive attitude” instead of those who have Succeeded.
The SC Educrats need to learn from their past failures that this will not work. Find someone who HAS succeeded, moved schools from failure to Above average or Excellent. Instead of promoting someone because it looks good in the press.
Whats more – IF she is “THAT” good then KEEP her there to make that school a success instead of just getting desks and chairs we/SC needs people who can get kids to graduate. Reward performers not “thinkers”. Get rid of those who cant or wont perform. For THEY set the example to the kids they teach. Look at me I dont have to perform and still get paid.
By Rick Adkins on June 17th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I agree with school choice 100%. Our schools will not get better until parents become more involved and take a more proactive role in their children’s education. And that includes giving all parents choice. That includes tax credits.
With the current leadership , Dillon County schools are destined to fail. Dillon County is the only county in the state that does not elect its four (4) boards of education. Most of the trustees have been appointed and re-appointed even though their education system has failed the students for decades. Dillon county (population approximately 30,000) has 3 school districts that roughly serve 5,700 students. One district has less than 1,000 students. (This was the count in 2007 when I researched Dillon county). Here’s the real kicker. The trustees are appointed by the legislative delegation, who has one resident member. That one resident member is also the football coach and athletic director for the high school in Dillon 2 (Where JV Martin is a feeder school). He is Representative Jackie Hayes. The problems at JV Martin and Dillon 2 were there long before Ms. Burnette showed up, and until things change, they will continue.
I stand by my assessment of Ms. Burnette. I think she will be successful in this new role.
By GnuBerry on June 17th, 2009 at 2:05 pm
You seem obsessed with vouchers.
By Lexvegas on June 17th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
GnuBerry – tax credit (cutting down family’s and corporation’s tax liablity when they take actions that save other taxpayers money) does not equal vocher (a government allocation of money)
but either way, HOPE, LIFE, and Palmetto Fellows Scholarships are vouchers, and they have put a lot of kids through college (public and private) that would not have otherwise made it