Jeff Henig

DECRYING POLARIZATION Henig argues that "polarization of American political discourse...leaves no room for negotiated or pragmatic decision-making."

A recent ProPublica news story casting Teach for America as an arm of the charter school movement has triggered yet another "take no prisoners"  battle between left and right. Writing in Education Week, Jeffrey Henig, Professor of Political Science & Education, finds merit and disingenuous motives on both sides, but concludes: "Ultimately, the problem is not with Teach for America or ProPublica. Rather, it's polarization of American political discourse that leaves no room for negotiated or pragmatic decision-making...pragmatism and nuance seem less like a colony in which to settle than a brief rest stop on the slippery slope to extremism.