Rahm Emanuel Urges Democrats to Reform Public Education Approach

Former White House Chief of Staff and Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel has called on the Democratic Party to reconsider its stance on public education. In an opinion piece published in The Wall Street Journal on October 19, 2023, Emanuel emphasizes the urgent need for reform as national test scores continue to decline. He suggests that Democrats, particularly those in Nevada, are too closely tied to the traditional education system dominated by teachers’ unions, which has struggled to deliver results.

Emanuel criticizes the decision by some Democrats to keep schools closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, arguing that this has contributed to the alarming findings of the Nation’s Report Card. He believes that the party must shift away from merely increasing funding and towards implementing innovative educational strategies. “If money alone could solve the problem, every American student would be a National Merit Scholar,” he stated, highlighting the lack of accountability surrounding educational investments.

In his critique, Emanuel also addresses the focus on social issues in education, arguing that while discussions around “woke” curricula are important, they should not come at the expense of fundamental academic skills. “We’ve spent the past five years debating pronouns without noticing that too many students can’t tell you what a pronoun is,” Emanuel remarked, stressing the need for prioritizing classroom excellence over social debates.

Reforming Public Education in Nevada

Emanuel advocates for a “return to the basics” in education, particularly for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. He supports the Read by 3 initiative, which mandates that children who are not reading at grade level by the end of third grade should be held back. This approach, he argues, is essential to ensure that students meet high expectations rather than simply receiving diplomas without demonstrating proficiency.

Despite the urgency of his proposals, many Nevada Democrats are likely to resist such changes. For years, they have maintained that increased funding from taxpayers is the only viable solution to the state’s ongoing education challenges. Notably, two recent tax increases—the largest in Nevada’s history—failed to yield significant improvements in student achievement. Yet, many Democratic lawmakers continue to advocate for further financial investments in the education sector.

Emanuel also criticizes the Democratic leadership in Nevada for opposing reforms aimed at increasing accountability within the education system. Efforts to implement the Read by 3 initiative have faced significant hurdles, as have proposals for more rigorous teacher evaluations. Additionally, the elimination of high school exit exams and the adoption of less stringent grading standards have raised concerns about educational standards in the state.

As the Democratic Party grapples with its identity and direction, Emanuel’s call for reform may resonate with a segment of the electorate seeking significant changes in educational policy. The challenge remains whether party leaders will heed his advice or continue to pursue traditional approaches that have been met with limited success.

The political landscape around education is likely to continue evolving, and the decisions made in the coming months will have lasting implications for students, teachers, and parents across the state. Emanuel’s insights serve as a reminder of the pressing need for a thoughtful and effective strategy in addressing the challenges facing public education today.