EducationInsider:TrackingMeasures, RuralEducation,andU.S.

Departmentof EducationAppointees November2013

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INTRODUCTION

WhyEducationInsider?

TheValue

Weharnessthe wisdomof wellconnected influentialsto provideinsights andpredict policyoutcomes forstakeholders intheeducation debate.

Whiteboard Advisors is a policyoriented consulting practice. We provide proprietary research and strategic support to investors and philanthropic donors, government leaders, and entrepreneurs who seek unparalleled understanding of the education policy and business environments. Education Insider helps those who need quality information to make high stakes decisions about the direction of federal policy. Education Insider combines the wisdom of informed crowds with expert analysis to offer unparalleled information, analysis, and forecasting on a range of federal education policy issues and likely outcomes. Education Insider conducts an anonymous survey of a small group of key education influentials (policymakers, thought leaders, and association heads) to get their thoughts and commentary about the context of the current debate and possible outcomes. This helps surface the underlying dynamics that can affect the trajectory of policies, positively or negatively, and go deeper than the conventional wisdom and rhetoric.

INTRODUCTION

WhyEducationInsider?

Survey Insiders

TheProcess
Education Insider is a monthly report that cuts through the noise and provides realtime insights on national education policy trends, debates, and issuesfrom the handful of decision makers that are really driving the process. We combine a survey of key education influencers with our own analysis to provide a unique perspective on the current state of debate. Who Are The Insiders? Influential leaders who are shaping federal education reform, including individuals who have or are currently serving as key policy and political insiders, such as: Current and former White House and U.S. Department of Education leaders; Current and former Congressional staff; State education leaders, including state school chiefs and former governors; and Leaders of major education organizations, think tanks and other key influentials.
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Analyze Results

Report Insights

Drive Action

INTRODUCTION

ExecutiveSummary
100%ofInsidersthinkthatESEA willnotbereauthorizeduntil January2015orlater. 72%ofInsidersthinkthatthe HigherEducationActwillnotbe reauthorizedbeforeJanuary 2015. 78%ofInsidersagreeorstrongly agreethatmosteducation policiesareprimarilydesigned forurbanandsuburbanschool districtsandareoftenpoorly suitedtoruraldistricts. 62%ofInsidersthinkthatTed Mitchellsnominationwill neitherspeedupnorslowdown theAdministrationshigher educationagenda.20% thinkhe willmakethingsmovemore quickly. InsidersgivethesameapprovalratingstothePARCCandSBAC CommonCoreassessmentconsortia,indicatingaslightincreasein PARCCapprovalandasteadyratingforSBAC.Forthefirsttimeever, over50%ofInsidersthinkthatbothconsortiaareontherighttrack. InsidersdonotthinkthattheHigherEducationActwillbe reauthorizedanytimesoon,andtheydonotbelievethatthe appointmentofTedMitchell,aformerprofessorandcollege universitypresident,asUnderSecretaryforEducationwillhaveany impactonthetimingofreauthorization. Insidersfeelthatteacherrecruitmentandretentionisthebiggest challengefacingruralschooldistricts.WhenaskedHowimportantdo youthinktheleadershipattheDepartmentofEducationconsiders ruraleducation?,theaverageInsidersscorewas4,onascaleof1to 10. InsidersgenerallydonotthinkthatU.S.DepartmentofEducation nomineesTedMitchell,JimShelton,orMassieRitschwillruninto confirmationtrouble.Thosethatdoaredividedastowhetherthe troublewillcomefromtheleftortheright.
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INTRODUCTION

TableofContents

TRACKING MEASURES RURAL EDUCATION U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION APPOINTEES

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TRACKINGMEASURES

ApprovalRatingsforCongressandAdministrationImproveSlightly
JobApprovalonEducation Congress
85% 90 95 94 15% 10 5 6 Approve Disapprove 18 14 6 0 0 8 4 12 5 4 12 12 8 14 12 15 7 4 15 82 86 100 94 100 92 96 88 95 96 88 88 92 86 88 85 93 96 85

Administration
65% 35% 40 45 60 55 65 41 59 55 50 54 50 50 52 54 54 54 43 50 48 57 50 52 46 45 50 46 50 50 48 46 46 38 35 33 30 37 29 35 62 67 70 63 72 65

Approve

Disapprove

Question:DoyouapproveordisapproveofthewayCongress/theAdministrationishandlingeducation?

TRACKINGMEASURES

TimingofESEAReauthorization

Forthefirsttime, 100%ofInsiders donotthink ESEAwillbe reauthorized untilJanuary 2015orlater.

TimingofESEAReauthorization
ByDec.2013 ByJun.2014 ByDec.2014 January2015orlater

35%

29% 40%

32%

29% 50% 55%

63%

71% 92%

77% 87%

81%

24%

33% 35%

32%

36%

85%

80% 93% 100%

5% 29% 33% 12% Apr. '12 Jun. '12

33% 20% 10% 10% July '12 12% Aug. '12 18% 18%

20% 10% 29% 25% 8% Jan. '13 4% Feb. '13 8% Mar. '13 19% 4% Apr. '13 10% 3% May '13 4% 8% 8% Jun. '13 11% 4% July '13 17% 3% Sept. '13 7% Oct. '13 Nov. '13

9% 8% 15% Dec. '12

Sept. Nov. '12 '12

DateofInsiderSurvey

Question: AboutwhendoyoubelieveafinalESEAbillwillbesignedintolaw?

TRACKINGMEASURES

InsiderInsight:ESEAReauthorizationTiming
Why? HarkinwontbegonefromtheSenateuntil2015. Noonereallycares,dothey?Isanyonelookingtoinvestthepoliticalcapitaltoget thejobdone? RequiresgettingmembersofCongressinaroomandactuallytalking.Notanytime soon. MidtermelectionsandnooneisbudgingnoteventogiveHarkinalegacypieceof legislation. Highereducationwillbethefocusofthenextsession;thereisnopoliticalwillto moveESEA. Isneveranoption? NopathtoconsensuswithHarkinandDuncaninthepicture.Theycantletgoof Washingtonmandatesandcontrols. BecausetheSenateistheSenate. CubscouldwinaWorldSeriesfirst.
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TRACKINGMEASURES

CommonCoreAssessments RightTrackorWrongTrack?
Aretheassessmentconsortiaonthe righttrackorwrongtrack?

PARCC
RightTrack WrongTrack

SBAC
RightTrack WrongTrack

31%

38% 49%

45%

52% 65% 70% 63% 78% 73% 73%

58%

48% 67% 67% 71% 73% 77% 70% 67% 74%

46%

38%

44%

46%

48%

69%

62% 52%

55%

48% 35% 30% 38% 22% 27% 27%

42%

52% 33% 33% 29% 27% 23% 30% 33% 26%

54%

62%

56%

54%

52%

Sept. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. July Sept. Oct. Nov. '12 '12 '12 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13

Sept. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun. July Sept. Oct. Nov. '12 '12 '12 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13 '13

Question:Aretheassessmentconsortiaontherighttrackorwrongtrack?

TRACKINGMEASURES

InsiderInsight:RightTrack/WrongTrack
WhydoyoubelievePARCCandSBACareontherightorwrongtrack?

RightTrack: TwoheavyCommonCorestatessawhugegainsonNAEP.Thatcanonlybe goodfortheconsortiaandencouragesstatestostaythecourse. Ontrackforthefieldtest.Thatsencouraging.Letsseeiftheysurvive that. Wrongtrack: Theyarebuttheyarenot.Ithinkyouneedtoprovideathirdoption. SmarterBalancedhastheiracttogethermorebutneitherconsortiumis reallysetuptodeliverwhattheyneedto.Alotofbumpsahead. PARCCisswirlinginmanagementproblems.

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TRACKINGMEASURES

HigherEducationAct

Surveyresponses remainlargely unchangedfromlast timeweaskedthis question,althoughfor thefirsttime,no InsidersthinkthatHEA willbereauthorizedby June2014. Themajoritybelieve reauthorizationwilltake placeinJanuary2015or later.

TimingofHEAReauthorization
ByDec.2013 ByJune2014 ByDec.2014 Jan.2015orlater

75%

74%

72%

13% 8% 4% March'13

22% 4% Oct.'13

28%

Nov.'13

Question:ByaboutwhendoyoubelieveafinalHigherEducationAct(HEA)billwillbesignedintolaw?

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RURALEDUCATION

BiggestIssuesFacingRuralSchoolDistricts

Whenaskedtorank thefollowingissues bytheirrelevance forruralschool districts,Insiders concludedthat teacherrecruitment andretentionare thebiggestissues.

1.Difficultyrecruitingteachers 2.Difficultyretainingteachers 3.Lackofschoolandclassroomtechnology 4.Lackoffullfederalfundingforspecialeducation 5.LackofaccesstobroadbandInternet 6.Riskofhighcost/lowincidencespecialeducationstudents 7.Lackofflexibilityabouthowfederaldollarscanbespent 8.Difficultycompetingforfederalgrantdollars 9.Paperworkandcompliancerequirements 10.Poorinformationonfederalgrantopportunities

Question:Pleaserankthefollowingissues,inorderofrelevance (1to10)forruralschooldistricts.Theimageaboveisbasedonweightedaverage rankings.

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RURALEDUCATION

InsiderInsight:TheMostBurdensomeFederalPolicy,Programs,and InitiativesandRuralSchoolDistricts
Whichfederalpolicy,programs,orinitiativesarethemostburdensomeforruralschool districts,eitherintermsofrestrictingpossibleactionorinrequiringadministrative resources? Thepaperworkrequirementsformajorfederalprogramsareunbelievably burdensomeforruraldistricts(andsmalldistrictsingeneral),andtheamountof fundingthesesmall/ruraldistrictsgetisrelativelysolittlethatjustifyingsuchburden isnearimpossible.Thisleadstohiringpersonneltoadministerfederalgrants(instead ofcurriculum/instruction)ORrequiringanexistingpersontotakeonadditional administrativeresponsibility.Inaddition,manyfederalprogramdirectives(likeSESfor example)donottakeintoaccountruraleducationalmarketsandthelackof competition/diversityinthosemarketswhichmakethemnearlyimpossibleto administer. ERatebyfarthemostcomplicatedprogramintermsofpaperwork,process,and complexity.GAOhaspointedouthowthecomplexitykeepsschoolsfromapplying. IDEA.

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RURALEDUCATION

InsiderInsight:TheMostBurdensomeFederalPolicy,Programs,and InitiativesandRuralSchoolDistricts(continued)
Whichfederalpolicy,programs,orinitiativesarethemostburdensomeforruralschool districts,eitherintermsofrestrictingpossibleactionorinrequiringadministrative resources? Ruraldistrictsalldistrictsneedgreaterflexibilitytodowhattheyneedtodo. Foryears,theHQTrequirementhasbeenthetoughesttodealwith. Anyprogramthathasverystrictrequirementswhichmakeitverydifficultfor districtstomeetsuchasAYP. IDEA. IDEA,TitleI(especiallysupplementnotsupplant)andteacherevaluation(tothe degreethatteacherevaluationwasincentivizedbyRacetotheTopandESEA waivers). NoChildLeftBehind.Allofit.AndArnesillegalwaivers;theysuck. Notthemostburdensome,butpeopleshouldlookintohowfederaltransportation regulationsaddtowhatarealreadysignificantcostsforruraldistricts.

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RURALEDUCATION

InsiderInsight: HowCantheFederalGovernmentImprove EducationforRuralStudents?

Ifthefederalgovernmentcoulddoonethingtoimprovethequalityofeducationfor ruralstudents,whatwouldyousuggesttheydo?

FullyfundEnhancingEducationThroughTechnologyandprovidemore fundingflexibility. HelpthembetteraccessandleveragetechnologythroughERatereformto realizecostsavingsoninstructionaldeliveryandbringhighqualitydelivery optionsthatarentotherwiseavailable. Fewerstringsonmoneyflowingthroughthestatestoruraldistricts.Money shouldgodirectlytostudents/familiesandnotthesystem. Moreflexibilityintheuseoffederalfunding. Reducefederalrulesandregulations.FundIDEAandTitleIinsteadofshiny newprogramslikeRTT.

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RURALEDUCATION

InsiderInsight:HowCantheFederalGovernmentImprove EducationforRuralStudents?(continued)
Ifthefederalgovernmentcoulddoonethingtoimprovethequalityofeducationfor ruralstudents,whatwouldyousuggesttheydo?

Assistwithbroadbandfortechnologytoenablemorecoursestobeoffered. Assistancewithprofessionaldevelopment.Resourcestohelpthembe competitivewhentheydonthavethestafftowritegrantapplications. ExpandandmodernizeERate,encouragesmallruraldistrictstocreate consortiaforprocurementpurposesandtoreduceadministrativeburden. Oneword:Scale.Helpthemcollaboratebetterandcreateincentivesfor themtodoso.Scaledoesnthavetomeanconsolidationbuttodays redundanciesarebadforkidsandtaxpayers. Promoterigorousexpectationsandcollegereadystandardsforallstudents, andensurethatruralstudentsareexposedtohighstandardsandgood informationaboutcollegeopportunities.

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralEducation

Insidersagree thatlifeinrural Americais significantly differentthanlife inthesuburbsor cities.

LifeinruralAmericaissignificantlydifferent fromlifeinurban/suburbanAmerica
55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

48% 35%

17% 0% 1Strongly disagree 0% 2 3 4 5Strongly agree

Question:Pleaseratetheextenttowhichyouagreewiththefollowingstatement

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralEducation

Insidersalso generallythinkthat mosteducation policiesare designedforurban andsuburban districts,andare poorlysuitedfor ruraldistricts.

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Mosteducationpoliciesareprimarily designedforurbanandsuburbandistricts andareoftenpoorlysuitedtoruraldistricts

43% 35%

9% 0% 1Strongly disagree 2

13%

5Strongly agree

Question:Pleaseratetheextenttowhichyouagreewiththefollowingstatement

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralEducation

Insidersaremore dividedasto whetherpeople shouldrealizethat ruralschools providedifferent offeringsthantheir urbanand suburban counterparts.

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Choosingtoliveinaruralcommunitymeans gainingsomebenefitsbutlosingothers. Peopleshouldrealizethatruralschoolsare differentthanurbanorsuburbanonesin theirofferings 39%

30% 13% 0% 1Strongly disagree 2 3 4 5Strongly agree 17%

Question:Pleaseratetheextenttowhichyouagreewiththefollowingstatement

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralEducation

MostInsidersdo notbelievetheU.S. Departmentof Educationconsiders ruraleducationto beimportant.

25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Howimportantdoyouthinktheleadership attheDepartmentofEducationconsiders ruraleducation?

22% 17% 13% 9% 4% 0%
1Not important 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9

13%

13% 9%

0%
10Very important

57%
Question:Pleaseratetheextenttowhichyouagreewiththefollowingstatement

21%

22%

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralEducation

MostInsidersthink thatlackof technologyisa barriertoeffective educationinrural America.

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Lackofcomputers,tablets,and/orsoftware isabarriertoeffectivelydeliveringgeneral educationinruralAmerica.

39% 30% 17% 4% 1Strongly disagree 2 3 4 4% 5Strongly agree

Question:Pleaseratetheextenttowhichyouagreewiththefollowingstatement

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralEducation

Insidersalso generallyfeelthat lackofhighspeed Internet connectivityisa barrierinrural America,althougha smallpercentage disagrees.

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

LackofhighspeedInternetconnectivityisa barriertoeffectivelydeliveringgeneral educationinruralAmerica.

26% 13% 4% 1Strongly disagree 2 3

30% 22%

5Strongly agree

Question:Pleaseratetheextenttowhichyouagreewiththefollowingstatement

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RURALEDUCATION

InsidersRankDistrictConcernsRegardingOnlineLearningOptions

Insidersfeelthat districtsbiggest concernwhen thinkingaboutonline learningoptionsis theabilitytodeliver givenexisting technology infrastructure.

1.Abilitytodelivergivenourtechnology infrastructure 2.Cost 3.Abilityofourteacherstointegrateonline offeringsintoourinstructionalprogram 4.Qualityofthecontentavailable 5.Alignmentwithourcurriculumand standards

Question:Pleaserankthefollowingissues(inorder,1through5)astohowmuchofaconcerntheyareforruralschooldistrictswhen thinkingabout onlinelearningoptions. Theimageaboveisbasedonweightedaveragerankings.

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralSchoolDistrictsandDistanceLearning
Perceptionsofruralschooldistricts attitudestowarddistancelearning

MostInsidersthink thatruraldistricts likelyviewdistance learningasan opportunityto provideofferings theyotherwise couldnotprovide.

18% 23% 59%

Ruraldistrictslikelyseedistancelearningasanopportunitytoprovide offeringsthattheyotherwisecouldnt. Ruraldistrictsarelikelyneutral;distancelearningdoesntandwonthavea strongimpactonruraldistricts. Ruraldistrictsarelikelyworriedthatonlineschoolswillcompeteforan alreadyshrinkingnumberofstudents,furtherforcingthemtoeliminate offerings.

Question:Describeyourperceptionsofruralschooldistrictsattitudestowarddistancelearning.

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralSchoolDistrictConsolidation

Themajorityof Insidersthinkrural schooldistrictsfeel thatclosinga communitysschool through consolidation shouldbeavoided atanycost.

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Closingacommunitysschoolthrough consolidationdamagesthecommunityand shouldbeavoidedatalmostanycost

50%

15% 5% 1Strongly disagree 2

20% 10%

5Strongly agree

Question:Describeyourperceptionsofruralschooldistrictsattitudestowardsruraldistrictconsolidation:

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralSchoolDistrictConsolidation

Similarly,the majorityofInsiders thinkthatrural schooldistrictsfeel thatcompensatory revenueshouldbe providedtosmall districtstohelp themavoid consolidations.

55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

Compensatoryrevenueshouldbeprovided tosmalldistrictstohelpthemavoid consolidations

30% 15%

35%

10%

10%

1Strongly disagree

5Strongly agree

Question:Describeyourperceptionsofruralschooldistrictsattitudestowardsruraldistrictconsolidation:

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralSchoolDistrictConsolidation

MostInsiders believethatrural schooldistricts woulddisagreeor areneutralwhen askedwhether consolidationisan unavoidablereality inplaceswith declining populations.

Consolidationisanunavoidablerealityin placeswithdecliningstudentpopulations
55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

45%

15% 5% 1Strongly disagree 2 3

20%

15%

5Strongly agree

Question:Describeyourperceptionsofruralschooldistrictsattitudestowardsruraldistrictconsolidation:

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RURALEDUCATION

RuralSchoolDistrictConsolidation
Ruraldistrictsshoulddomoretoavoid wholesaleconsolidationbycoordinating acrossdistrictsandpoolingresources whereverpossible,suchasthroughformal servicesharingagreements(e.g.,BOCES)
55% 50% 45% 40% 35% 30% 25% 20% 15% 10% 5% 0%

MostInsidersthink thatruralschool districtswould agreewiththe statementthat ruraldistricts shoulddomoreto coordinateacross districtsandpool theirresources.

50%

15% 5% 1Strongly disagree 2

20% 10%

5Strongly agree

Question:Describeyourperceptionsofruralschooldistrictsattitudestowardsruraldistrictconsolidation:

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

ImpactofTedMitchellsAppointmentattheU.S.Departmentof Education
Asignificant majorityofInsiders thinkthathigher educationveteran TedMitchells appointmentwill nothaveany impactonthe timingof reauthorizationof theHigher EducationAct. MitchellsImpactonReauthorizationofthe HigherEducationAct

14% 5% Faster Slower Nochange 81%

Question:TedMitchellhasbeenselectedforUnderSecretaryforEducation.WillhisappointmentmakereauthorizationoftheHEAmovefaster,slower, ornochange?

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

ImpactofTedMitchellsAppointmentattheU.S.Departmentof Education
While29%ofInsiders thinkthatMitchells appointmentmay speedupthe Administrations higheredagenda,the majorityofInsiders thinkhis appointmentwill haveimpact. MitchellsImpactontheAdministrations HigherEducationAgenda

29%

Faster Slower Nochange

62%

9%

Question:TedMitchellhasbeenselectedforUnderSecretaryforEducation.WillhisappointmentmaketheAdministrationshighereducationagenda movefaster,slower,ornochange?

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

InsiderInsights:ImpactofTedMitchellsAppointmentattheU.S. DepartmentofEducation
[Fasterforboth.]Thatsahopemorethananactualbelief. HehasnoappreciationforCongresssohewillnothelpinmovingan agendaandwillpotentiallyslowthingsdown.Andwiththe nominationofawomantoOPEwhoknowsabsolutelynothingabout highered,thisdoesnotsendastrongsignalthatthisAdministration reallycaresaboutanysubstantivechangestoHEA. Hellgetswallowedbybureaucracyandregretitwithin2months. WhosTedMitchell?saidjustabouteveryoneinWashington,DC. Thelargerpoliticalandstructuralproblemsaretheissue,notanyone person.

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

InsiderInsights:What,ifanything,doesMitchellsselectionmean forthegainfulemploymentregulationprocess?
Hopefullyhewillmoderateitandbemoresupportiveofprivate providers. Nothinggood. Nothingthepolicyisfullybakedandwillbesoonheadedrightback toCourt. Maybealittlemoreflexibleifhecaninfluencethepolicy,ifnot, none. Thegainfulemploymentregulationprocessisalreadyunderwayand seemstobeleadingtoatighterrule.Mitchellmaybringmore urgency,butisunlikelytochangetherule.

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

InsiderInsights:What,ifanything,doesMitchellsselectionmean forthegainfulemploymentregulationprocess?(continued)
Nothing.ItsDOAeitherway. Nothing,thatscontrolledbyJamesKvaal,period.ThatTeddoesnt thinkforprofitprovidersshouldbesummarilyexecutedmeanshe's notgoingtobeincludedinconversations. Verylittle.Tedsaniceguybutnotgoingtochangemindsonthisand he'snotinclinedtobreakkneecapstogetpeopleinline. Mitchellissmartandknowshowtobringpeopletoagreement.That said,gainfulemploymentregs arecrazycomplicatedandcrazy contentious.IdonotwanttooverestimateMitchelljustbecausehes smartandskillfulatdealmaking.

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

U.S.DepartmentofEducationAppointees

Whenaskedwhether theythinkMitchell, DeputySecretary nomineeJimShelton,or AssistantSecretaryfor Outreachand Communications nomineeMassieRitsch willfaceconfirmation troubleinCongress,most Insiderssaidno. Ofthosewhosaidyes, theyweresplitasto whetheritwouldbe RepublicansorDemocrats causingthetroublefor MitchellandShelton.

Mitchell
20% 80%

Shelton
Yes No
15% 85%

Ritsch
Yes No
5% 95%

Yes No

Mitchell
50% 50%
Republicans Democrats

Shelton
50% 50%
Republicans Democrats

Ritsch
100%
Republicans Democrats

Question:InadditiontoMitchell,JimSheltonhasbeennominatedasDeputySecretaryandMassieRitschhasbeennominatedasAssistant Secretaryfor OutreachandCommunications.Willanyofthesethreenomineesrunintoconfirmationtrouble?[Note:SurveyclosedNovember18,2013]

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U.S.DEPT.OFEDUCATIONAPPOINTEES

InsiderInsights:ConfirmationTrouble
Idontthinkso,butatthispointtheSenateissobrokenthattheycould probablyfindthatthe12Apostleshadsomecharacterflawthatwould preventthemfrombeingconfirmed. Mitchellhassomeenemiesprobablyandwillbetheproxyforpeoplewho areunhappywiththeAdministration. NooneintheSenatecaresabouttheseinconsequentialnominations. Itwontbeabout[thenominees],theylljustbeusedasbargainingchipsfor someotherissue. Isaidno,butgiventhepolarizationitsnotoutofthequestionthata SenatorusesoneofthemtomakeapointaboutCommonCore(Cruz,Rubio, Grassley)oredreform(Warren). MitchellandSheltonarecentrists,sobothsideshavereasonsnottolike them.RitschisntespeciallypoliticalbutcouldbeatargetonCommonCore.

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