Last week was an interesting week for this education reformer. I was at DC-STATS Data Conference hosted by IES, the research arm of the U.S. Department of Education. I had a front row seat for the opening key note by U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and IES Director John Easton. One positive element of this administration that was evident in the address and follow-up questions is an understanding that innovation in education cannot be a top-down mandate. Bueracracy is not the best incubator of innovation. However, Federal and state agencies can improve its support of local and regional innovation...
