MIAMI HERALD: Obama’s educational plan challenges system

President Barack Obama wants to rewrite the national playbook on public education —- and if he gets his way America could turn the corner, finally, on educational achievement. Success will depend on how well Obama runs the gantlet on each side of the political divide.

At the outset, he starts from an excellent foundation of having smart ideas, a balanced approach and the right person in the Department of Education to get the job done. America needs this plan to work. Intellectual capital has never been more important in a shrinking world, and America has been losing ground to countries that invest more in education and get better results.

In a speech last week, Obama laid out a plan based on competition, high standards in the classroom and accountability at all levels, students and teachers most definitely included. This approach differs, meaningfully, from No Child Left Behind under President George W. Bush in that it departs from an excessive focus on testing. The Obama plan challenges the entire educational system. It welcomes competition, promotes creativity, punishes failure while rewarding success and understands the lasting value of an early start.

Unlike the underfunded No Child Left Behind, this plan invests billions, including $5 billion for Early Start and Head Start programs.

Charter schools should be part of the educational mix because they increase competition and promote creativity, Obama said. So he plans to double the amount of spending on these schools and eliminate rules many states have in place that limit the number of charter schools.

Yet charter schools won’t be overlooked. Like public schools, their performance will be measured and charted. Those that underperform will be closed.

Similar accountability standards will apply to teachers, too. Those who excel will get extra pay. Those who can’t show that their students are learning and improving will have to try some other profession. No excuses allowed.