Wondering why some aren't so enthused by our gubernatorial options? (UPDATED 2x)

Here's why:

An hour after Baker calls on Coakley to join him in asking state DoEd to reconsider charter school decision, Coakley does so. #magov
— David S. Bernstein (@dbernstein) October 14, 2014

This is regarding the current complaint that where the charter schools wanted to expand isn't where the state says there's room, as we're measuring growth now. Growth measures what a child does over the course of a year, rather than what that child walks in with. It's a problematic measure, but it's a whole lot better than the annual "high income=high MCAS scores=no charter schools" dance.

Both candidates for governor from major parties just affirmed that what we do in urban school systems doesn't actually matter.

UPDATE: The good news is that it appears that DESE is hanging in:

State ed officials decline calls by Baker, Coakley to reconsider charter school decisions. #mapoli
— State House News (@statehousenews) October 14, 2014

UPDATE 2: Wow, this quote is even worse than I had imagined:

Coakley responded Tuesday morning with a statement doing just that: "Today's news that all new charter school proposals were rejected is disappointing, and I am calling on the Department of Education to reconsider the decision. Families and children in Brockton and Fitchburg deserved better. We shouldn't let a technicality get in the way of offering increased opportunities to our children in school districts across the state."

There you have it: student growth is a "technicality."