News-Record.com

Gov. Bev Perdue yesterday announced the state will begin an "unprecedented intervention" in Halifax County Schools because of its low student achievement.

I'm impressed by her statement that: "My goal is to improve public schools and student performance. Dr. Harrison, Superintendent Atkinson and I will act aggressively in Halifax County and all of North Carolina to make sure our schools have the support, direction and accountability that give our kids a chance to succeed.”

I understand that this action was prompted by Judge Howard Manning, who was on the verge of ordering a state takeover. I know it shouldn't take a judge's order to get the state to meet its obligations to every child, even in a poor, out-of-the-way corner like Halifax County.

But Perdue, in office less than four months, is stepping up to her responsibilities. She's making herself accountable. If Halifax County schools still fail after this intervention, it means the state fails. The governor fails. No ducking, no excuses.

Some of her predecessors have styled themselves as education governors. Mike Easley even won an award calling him the nation's greatest education governor.

But Judge Manning looked at the record of Halifax County Schools and pronounced it academic genocide.

How can you be an education governor when that's happening anywhere in your state?

I like Perdue's use of the word "aggressive." I was a detractor of hers during last year's campaign, and I still won't agree with her on all the issues. But she has been a hard charger since taking office, letting everyone know who's running things in Raleigh.

She's playing like Ty Lawson, and she hasn't stubbed her toe yet.