A Test of Commitment

[additional-authors]

David A. Lehrer

July 28, 2009

Something is happening in the world of public education—-the US Department of Education is serious about reform and we will soon have the opportunity to see who will help them effect the changes that are so desperately needed.

Over the past few weeks Arne Duncan, Secretary of Education, has been explicit in speeches to teachers’ groups that a significant provision of the huge stimulus package that impacts teachers and their students is contingent on real reform. States that want some of the “Race to the Top” funds must have in place methods to evaluate teachers based on test score data of their students, anathema to many teachers’ unions. This past weekend, President Obama buttressed the Secretary’s call by explicitly sending a” title=”written” target=”_blank”> written about

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Israel and the Internet Wars – A Professional Social Media Review

Marion Haberman

The Invisible Student: A Tale of Homelessness at UCLA and USC

Tabby Refael

What Ever Happened to the LA Times?

Dan Schnur

Who Are the Jews On Joe Biden’s Cabinet?

Ryan Torok

You’re Not a Bad Jewish Mom If Your Kid Wants Santa Claus to Come to Your House

Marion Haberman

No Labels: The Group Fighting for the Political Center

Larry Greenfield

Latest Articles

NY Mag’s Habibi City

Alexandra Ozeri

The ‘Fauda’ Enigma

Thane Rosenbaum

Jewish Democrats Cave to Anti-Semites

Bruce L. Bialosky

Chai Lifeline Families Spend Afternoon with Clippers Center Yanic Konan Niederhäuser

Kylie Ora Lobell

“Just a Few Sleeps Away” by Mike Nichols

Boaz Hepner

Rabbi Kaplan Named JCC Camps Senior VP; Maman Events, JFSLA, Temple of the Arts

Jewish Journal Staff

Controversial Far-Left Streamer Hasan Piker Scheduled to Speak at Cornell, UT Austin

September 18, 2026

At Cornell, he is speaking at an event hosted by the Students Not Bombs campaign, which is demanding that the university divest from Israel.

Listen — A poem for Parsha Ha’Azinu

September 17, 2026

Listen – Moses is about to sing a song

When Celebrities Endorsed a Different “Free Palestine”

September 17, 2026

When many of America’s leading celebrities called for a “Free Palestine” eighty years ago this week, they were talking about freeing Palestine from British occupation, in order to establish a Jewish state.

A Bisl Yom Kippur~ Plenty of Regrets

September 17, 2026

Yom Kippur is admitting our plentiful regrets and summoning and building our inner determination and drive to be better people, regrets, and all.

A Moment in Time: The Sound of Now

September 17, 2026

Enigmatic End: the Penultimate Song in the Torah

September 17, 2026

Print Issue: Renewing American Jewry | September 18, 2026

September 17, 2026

In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.

Expanding the Soul

September 17, 2026

There is a struggle within us between constriction and expansion, between despair and vitality. Good humor can be a powerful ally against the constriction that suffering creates.

Making Torah More Accessible

September 17, 2026

The 402-page book is organized around 36 life lessons related to the Book of Genesis, with thoughtful study questions and dozens of responses from respected sources in Jewish thought.

Avi Nesher Fights the Boycott with a Human Story

September 17, 2026

Making Israeli films is not easy. Budgets are generally small by American standards, and international financing has become increasingly difficult to secure amid the cultural boycott of Israeli cinema.

Combating Antisemitism Through Education in Beverly Hills

September 17, 2026

For Judith, her family’s experience as refugees from Iran is part of what drives her commitment to speaking out against antisemitism and never staying silent.

From Israel’s Farms to Los Angeles: The Etrog with a Purpose

September 17, 2026

Mickey Katzburg, founder of the World Center for Jewish Education, is trying to give Los Angeles Jews another option: an etrog grown in Israel, while at the same time helping support farmers in the country’s Gaza border region.

What’s in a Name: Peanut Butter Date Bark

September 17, 2026

Dates are a perfect way to add natural caramelized sweetness to desserts.

Table for Five: Yom Kippur

September 17, 2026

Elevating the Physical

ACF Report Reveals the Strongest – and Most Concerning – Campuses for Jewish and Pro-Israel Students

September 16, 2026

The report, which can be found on CampusFairness.org, took into consideration five criteria: incident record, institutional response, anti-Israel organizing, Jewish life on campus, and the legal and structural environment.

Jason Arday, Donald Trump, and the Post-Truth World

September 16, 2026

For both MAGA and Arday’s defenders, truth doesn’t matter, lies are accepted as facts, and tribe matters above all.

How Yom Kippur’s Afternoon Prophet Inspires America

September 16, 2026

When Jonah makes his appearance on the holiest day of the year, he is meant to remind Jews across the globe of the remarkable grace of repentance.

Knowing Our History

September 16, 2026

In this time of introspection and rising adversity, let us resolve as American Jews to write our new chapter by better understanding our history.

Macklemore Dropped from Ed Sheeran Tour After ‘Free Palestine’ Remarks at MetLife Stadium

September 16, 2026

Among the most high-profile artists to criticize Macklemore’s MetLife Stadium rant was P!NK. Born Alecia Moore, P!NK is a Jewish Grammy-winning pop star who has been increasingly public about her Judaism and antisemitism since Oct. 7.

Noah Wyle, Rob Reiner, and the Jewish Winners at the 78th Emmys

September 16, 2026

Wyle won Outstanding Lead Actor in a Drama Series for playing Dr. Michael “Robby” Robinavitch on HBO Max’s “The Pitt.”

A Test of Commitment

David A. Lehrer

Did you enjoy this article?

You'll love our roundtable.

Editor's Picks

Latest Articles

More news and opinions than at a Shabbat dinner, right in your inbox.