EconTalk Terry Moe on Educational Reform, Katrina, and Hidden Power
Dec 9, 2019
Terry Moe, a political scientist and author at Stanford University, delves into the transformative impact of Hurricane Katrina on educational reform in New Orleans. He highlights how the disaster prompted a shift to charter schools, leading to significant improvements in student outcomes. Moe discusses the challenges posed by entrenched interests, like teachers' unions, that often hinder reform. He emphasizes the importance of incorporating innovation and adaptability in education, showing how political dynamics can change under pressure from catastrophic events.
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Vested Interests Hinder Education Reform
- Vested interests, like teachers' unions and school boards, prioritize their own benefits over student needs.
- These groups resist reforms that threaten their interests, hindering improvements in education.
Second Face of Power
- The "second face of power" prevents reform attempts by discouraging potential reformers.
- Knowing they'll lose, reformers often give up before even trying, leading to stagnation.
Katrina Creates an Opportunity
- Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, including its failing school system.
- This disaster inadvertently removed the power of vested interests, creating a unique opportunity for reform.