Lehigh on Charters, Menino, BTU

Scot Lehigh comments on the "paradigm shift" in his Globe column today. He makes a couple of noteworthy points.

He mentions that the Patrick administration is retooling their charter school proposal. The new plan, while not solidified, would only lift the cap for underperforming districts. However, it would no longer require front end demographic jiggering that runs counter to the open lottery enrollment structure that is currently in place.

He also focuses on the Boston Teachers Union's role in Mayor Menino's shift on charter schools. He writes:

"TALK ABOUT barriers lifting and paradigms shifting.

Suddenly, support for charter schools, once the lonely province of public-policy entrepreneurs and intrepid, union-defying pols, has become positively mainstream.

For that, you can credit a pro-charter Democratic president, recent Boston Foundation-sponsored research demonstrating their educational efficacy, persistent pressure from both Boston dailies, a developing mayoral race in the Hub - and, oh yes, the myopic resistance to change displayed by the leadership of the Boston Teachers Union."

Later, he goes on to say:

"Further, the macro message is clear: After years of trying to nudge the existing system along, only to be thwarted by the BTU, the mayor has concluded he can't get the changes he needs by working solely within that system.

Menino acknowledges as much, noting the BTU has filed grievances over pilot schools - designed to be the city's in-district alternative to charter schools - and over a plan for performance pay for advanced-placement teachers.

"I have been out there working with them, and now we are in arbitration on two simple matters," says Menino. "When is it going to be about the kids?"

Finally, Lehigh points out that none of this will matter if the state legislature doesn't jump on the lift the cap bandwagon. Hopefully the momentum that's built up over the past week will start to have an impact.