By Habiba Alcindor

Last week’s buzz about the possibility of New York City Chancellor Joel I. Klein’s appointment to the post of Secretary of Education has prompted a groundswell of anti-Klein sentiment from New Yorkers all too familiar with Klein’s effect on their school system.

These parents, teachers and education administrators overwhelmingly denounce the market-based solutions that dominate the Klein-led Department of Education. They do not wish to see Klein’s model applied on a nationwide basis.

You can read more and sign the petition here.

But this is only the beginning of a story that promises to be increasingly common in the “Era of Obama.” Obama’s campaign successfully harnessed the energy of a rising grassroots activism whose slogan is Yes We Can. This movement shows no sign of dying down now that Obama is the President-elect. Teachers hamstrung for the past eight years by budget cuts, poor administration and policies like No Child Left Behind began working together on a national level three years ago, forming a coalition called Teacher Activist Groups (TAG). They are poised to make an impact on the future of education by speaking in unison with a voice loud enough to reach the White House.

You can read their statement on the selection of the US Secretary of Education here.

Please use the comments field below to let us know what you think about Klein’s potential appointment and to suggest other possible candidates for the job.