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School choice critic Ricardo Pimentel gets called out

Posted by Kevin Fischer on Jan. 28, 2011

Former Editorial Page editor for the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel and big-time lefty, Ricardo Pimentel recently ripped choice schools. Remember, liberals are for choice in all areas except education.

In today’s paper, Pimentel was taken to task by Zeus Rodriguez of Hispanics for School Choice. Rodriguez did what usually is done to combat weak liberal charges: respond with a dizzying array of facts. From Rodriguez’s opinion piece:

“He (Pimentel) says that preliminary data from a 10-year longitudinal study demonstrates that choice schools are ‘no better, no worse than MPS schools.’ As a parent who commutes my son from Oak Creek to the south side of Milwaukee to attend St. Anthony School, I take exception to that analysis.

Even if a primary education would be judged solely on academic performance, choice schools are receiving significantly less than the $13,000-plus allotted for each Milwaukee Public Schools student while graduating at much higher rates. It sounds as though they are doing better with much less.”

And then come the knockout punches. The left…

“I would suggest that Mr. Pimentel visit St. Anthony School and speak with the parents to see how they feel about expanding the choice program for other Wisconsinites.”

And then the right…

“Let us not forget how important a safe and healthy environment is in order for children to learn. I don't think many people reading this would doubt that my son is getting a stellar education at St. Anthony School, but would fall over in their chairs if I was commuting him from Oak Creek to an MPS school on the south side of Milwaukee.”

Yes, Ricardo, come take a first-hand look at one of the schools you’re bashing, where Hispanic students are doing very well.

Here’s a fine column about St. Anthony’s from Alan Borsuk.