Obama Takes Aim At California and New York On School Grants

July 27, 2009 (LPAC)—Even as his fascist health plan would deny large states such as California and New York Medicaid funds and shift them to less populated states, Obama has now threatened these same two states with ineligibility for education stimulus funds. States barring the use of student achievement data to help set teacher pay would be become ineligible for $4.35 billion in education stimulus funds under guidelines proposed by Obama on July 24. The measure would disqualify states such as California, New York, and Wisconsin from applying for the grants unless they change laws excluding student-performance data from evaluations of teachers and principals.

In a press conference with Education Secretary Arne Duncan, Obama said: "In too many places we have no way, at least no good way, of distinguishing good teachers from bad ones." The grants will go to states that "use data effectively to reward effective teachers, to support teachers who are struggling, and, when necessary to replace teachers who aren't up to the job."

The program also will not allow participation by states that put a cap on the number of charter schools. This would include the state of Massachusetts, which has such caps.