Ron Driver: Good idea, bad timing for Best NC

Regarding the March 22 editorial “Better educated”: The Best NC program is a great start at reforming the education mentality in our state, yet it has one great barrier.

The political atmosphere in our state for the past 30 years has not been conducive to the kind of changes needed in education, and today’s leaders are no different. They would rather talk big while doing nothing as they have done for 30 years.

I predict that the first thing the leaders will do is appoint a commission to study the recommendations made by Best NC in an attempt to appear to be doing something. They will give it a window extending past the next election so as not to interfere with campaigning.

I have watched this education debate go on now for over 30 years, with many studies, suggestions, etc., and yet here we are. I have hope this time might be better, but only the next few months will tell.

During the years the state had money to improve the system, the Democrats decided it was less important than their own needs. Today we have the same thinking with the Republicans.

This story was originally published March 27, 2015 at 5:30 PM with the headline "Ron Driver: Good idea, bad timing for Best NC."