NYC is considering allowing private groups (like Expeditionary Learning-Outward Bound, Urban Assembly, and the College Board) to run some of its schools.

Before you run off thinking this is surely the end of the world, remember that these groups have already been extremely active in the creation and roll-out of a bunch of the Gates-funded small schools in NYC. The Gates cash is just about gone and the city needs to find a way to keep these guys in play.

Yeah, expect the usual horrified flagellation from people who think that WHO runs a public school is more important than WHETHER the school is non-crappy or not. Someday we will be able to talk about this kind of stuff in a realistic manner, but today probably still isn't the day.

Funniest quote in the story: "We haven’t made a determination yet as to whether to apply." - Bob Hughes, president of New Visions and methinks probably a terrible poker player.

Most important point to keep in mind: UFT President Randi Weingarten's suggestion that the city's thinking on this stuff should be more public. Aside from the obvious (and interesting) point that she isn't instantly throwing cold water on the idea, she's absolutely right about the importance of transparency and the need for an informed public debate. (Public schools don't necessarily have to be run by public entities, but the public still must act as the most important stakeholder of the public service.)

Just my opinion, but the public really needs to force the city to show its hand - getting them to make the case for how this plan will help the city's kids. (I happen to think it shouldn't be that hard for Chancellor Joel Klein and his team to make this case, but it is still their case to make.)

And yes, the public should have forced this issue the day Bill Gates wrote his first check to NYC's school system. It is inevitable that when private money runs out for projects and reform efforts, that the public arm will request that public money be used to keep things moving. That makes people like Bill Gates insider policymakers of sorts - well intentioned and hopeful, but also extremely powerful and strangely unaccountable.

If accountability is to mean anything at all, the public needs to hold philanthropists accountable from the get-go for the impact of their important donations. These are our kids, afterall.