school reform? Publicity stunts? Something else? I’m not really sure what to make of this one. First, check out this clip:

According to an article in the New York Times, this self- professed political “odd couple” that co-founded the bipartisan Education Equality Project (EEP) almost a year ago has already raised over $1.6 million to promote a nationwide school reform agenda, and co-sponsored a high-profile conference in Manhattan to further the cause. Their mission includes increasing the number of charter schools, instituting performance pay for teachers, and using data-driven measures to create greater accountability for schools – all in the name of eliminating the achievement gap. (Sounds like part of President Obama’s school reform platform to me.)

According to the EEP website, the list of signatories who publicly endorse EEP reads like an official “Who’s Who” in the world of ed reform including such notables as former Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings, New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, D.C. School Chancellor Michelle Rhee, co-founder and co-director of Education Sector (and the man behind Eduwonk.com) Andrew Rotherham, President and CEO of the Harlem Children’s Zone Geoffrey Canada, and numerous senators, mayors, school superintendents, presidents of school reform organizations, and random political figures like Jeb Bush and Newt Gingrich. (Conspicuously absent is AFT President Randi Weingarten, although she did make an appearance at this week’s conference along with Education Secretary Arne Duncan.)

Here’s where things start to smell a little fishy: It seems that Sharpton didn’t exactly agree to join Klein out of the goodness of his heart. In fact, Sharpton openly disagrees with Klein on some key ed reform issues like whether New York City’s mayor should retain control over city schools. So why the sudden allegiance? Juan Gonzalez at the NY Daily News just revealed that Al Sharpton’s lobbying group the National Action Network received a $500,000 donation last June immediately following Sharpton’s commitment to join Klein’s effort. The money came from a hedge fund whose managing director is former School Chancellor Harold Levy. Further, Levy didn’t give the money directly to Sharpton, but quietly funneled it through another non-profit organization called Education Reform Now so he could claim it as a tax deduction. This donation couldn’t have come at a better time for Sharpton who was in the process of settling a debt with the IRS to the tune of $1 million.

My question is this: Why is this high-powered group of school reformers buying Al Sharpton? Do they really need his face on their stage so badly? And if Harold Levy is so concerned with helping our schools, how about legitimately donating the $500,000 to a non-profit that’s actually making a difference (like the Harlem Children’s Zone) instead of just funneling it through one to pay off Al Sharpton? Any ideas?

takepart in reading the article Sharpton and Klein wrote together for the Huffington Post. Then read bloggers Clay Burell and Mike Klonsky’s take on the issue.