Here's an good idea: let's make Jefferson into a Catholic high school!

That's the solution born-again Catholic Dave Reinhard, the Oregonian's resident reactionary, has come up with to transform Jefferson from a "failing school" to one that actually works.

Well, maybe not turning Jeff into Catholic school exactly, but modeling the "new" Jefferson after its North Portland neighbor, De LaSalle North High School, which is of course a Catholic school.  De LaSalle, you see, has a work program for its students, one day a week, which makes the educational experience there more relevent (a good thing) and turns them into college material at close to a 100% rate-- "... 53 out of 55 students in the school's first graduating class are heading to college next fall... ."  And best of all, these students are of the same socio-economic class as the kids at Jefferson.

There are some slight differences, however, as Reinhard readily acknowledges:

"Perhaps student selection accounts for some of its success. Perhaps De LaSalle North students are more motivated or have more family support. Maybe that's why they're there and not in the area's public schools."

And this:

"Granted, a private school has certain advantages. It can pick its students and unpick them if they aren't meeting their responsibilities."

But that doesn't deter Reinhard.  Just make Jefferson a school of choice, say a charter or a magnet, and voila! -- a "successful" school is born. 

Now Reinhard is a smart guy.  I believe he has a Ph.D in something from someplace.  But somehow that doesn't help him see the glaring fallacy of his proposal.  Maybe that's not too surprising, since even the smart people who run Portland Public Schools have fallen into the school choice trap.  Which is even more unforgivable, because they're supposed to be running a public school system, one that's expected to educate all kids, regardless of how well equipped they are with cultural advantages, like parental support.  And therein lies the rub.

Jefferson as a charter or a magnet option would benefit primarily advantaged kids and leave disadvantaged kids behind.  We already see this happening throughout the district as capable students with supportive parents flock to schools with similar students.  Portland's school choice system has created an educationally "balkanized' district, with the good kids here, and the rest elsewhere.

If Reinhard is serious about good educational options for all students, then the reforms he suggests for Jefferson should be applied to all the district's high schools.  And school choice should be tossed out. 

I doubt, however, that Reinhard would agree.  He's probably ideologically wedded, as a free-market conservative, to the idea of school choice.  He's probably in favor of vouchers, too, which, if implemented, would sound the death knell of public education and the common school movement which has served this country so well.