Cheri Yecke

Dr. Cheri Pierson Yecke
File:CheriYecke.jpg Cheri Pierson Yecke Ph.D.
Born	(1955-02-05) February 5, 1955 St. Paul, Minnesota, USA
Occupation(s)	educator, reformer, author, administrator

Cheri Pierson Yecke (born February 5, 1955) is an education reformer and author who has served as the chief K-12 public schools administrator in Virginia, Minnesota, and Florida. She holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Hawaii, a master’s of science degree in teaching from the University of Wisconsin-River Falls, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Virginia. She is the author of two books: The War Against Excellence and Mayhem in the Middle.

Personal Background

Upbringing

Cheri was born on February 5, 1955 in St. Paul, Minnesota. She was the oldest of five children born to Leo Sylvester Pierson and Marceline Mae (nee) Intihar. Leo was an electrician and belonged to the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Local 110. Marcy was born in Eveleth, Minnesota and was a housekeeper at Midway Hospital.

Early Education

Cheri attended Gordon School for kindergarten and first grade. From grades 2-8 she attended St. Mark’s grade school. From there she attended St. Joseph’s Academy, an all-girls school run by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet. In 1971, this school closed and Cheri transferred to St. Agnes High School, where she met her future husband, Dennis Yecke. During their senior year (1972-73), Cheri was Class President and Dennis was Vice-President. Dennis joined the Marine Corps as a private in June, 1973.

Marriage and Family

Dennis and Cheri were married in December 1973, and shortly thereafter left Minnesota for Dennis’ first duty station at Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. While stationed there, Cheri worked part time as a clerk at the PX and as a cleaning lady, and was a full time student at the University of Hawaii, where she graduated with her BA in December 1975. She was the first person in her family to graduate from college.

In January 1976, they left Hawaii for Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was here that Cheri did her student teaching and received her first teaching certificate. Other duty stations included such places as Quantico, Virginia; Lawton, Oklahoma; Jacksonville, North Carolina; and Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Dennis retired from the Marine Corps as a Major in 1993, after 20-years of service. The Yeckes have two daughters, Anastasia (31) and Tiffany (28).

Professional Accomplishments

Teaching

In 1984, Yecke began her teaching career at a Department of Defense School, Quantico High School, on the Quantico Marine Corps Base in Virginia. She taught World History and Psychology. She then transferred to Stafford County schools where she taught American History, English, and Civics at Drew Middle School and then at A.G. Wright Middle School.

She was named Stafford County Teacher of the Year in 1988.

Moving from the Classroom to the Policy Arena

As she explains in this interview, Yecke’s move from being a classroom teacher to becoming a spokesman for reform was not in her plans.

With Dennis in the Marine Corps, the Yeckes moved frequently. Both of their daughters started school in Minnesota (District 833) in the mid-1980s. They soon left Minnesota for Stafford County, Virginia, where both girls attended public school.

After seven years in Virginia, they were ordered back to Minnesota. The Yeckes made sure that they returned to the same school district they had been in originally, because their children had had such good educational experiences there. But within a week of re-enrolling in District 833 schools, they knew something was terribly wrong. They found that her children were light years ahead of their peers. People were asking them, “Have you been in a private school for seven years?”

Yecke investigated and found the district started implementing outcome-based education the year after they left. As practiced in this district, outcome-based education meant a teacher could not fail a child. Children learned very quickly that there was no reason to study for a test, because they could always retake it. On paper, outcome-based education might sound very good: “We’re going to make sure that every child has mastered this material before they’ll be allowed to move on.” But it destroyed motivation because an “incomplete” meant that a student could never fail. There were no consequences for irresponsible behavior, so motivation disappeared.

Yecke documented what she had found and published several articles in the local newspaper. She soon received phone calls from all over the country from others who were frustrated by the same issue. One of the callers invited Yecke to Richmond, Virginia in August of 1993 to participate in a debate on outcome-based education at Huguenot High School.

In the summer of 1993, the Yeckes had just received orders to move back to Virginia, so she agreed to participate in the debate. At that time, Virginia was on the cusp of adopting outcome-based education, and this debate was pivotal. It took place during the gubernatorial contest between Republican George Allen, who wanted to get rid of outcome-based education and Democrat Mary Sue Terry, who supported it. Both wanted to get the endorsement of the seated governor, Doug Wilder, a Democrat.

There were four people on each side of the issue speaking to a packed auditorium. Those speaking in support of outcome-based education included officials from the state Department of Education. Those in support of traditional education included Yecke, Janet Parshall, now a national radio talk show host, and Sylvia Kramer, a scientist for NASA.

While those on the other side read prepared remarks that had obviously been written by someone else, the “Militant Moms” spoke from the heart, with intensity and passion--as Moms who saw what outcome-based education was doing to our children and to education in our country.

The crowd responded overwhelmingly to what Yecke and her colleagues were saying. Less than a week later, Governor Wilder issued an executive order saying outcome-based education was “graveyard dead” in Virginia. That was an implicit endorsement of George Allen, who went on to win the election.

Serving the Commonwealth of Virginia (1994-2002)

In 1994, Governor Allen appointed Yecke to the Champion Schools Commission, a group of individuals tasked with writing new academic standards for Virginia’s K-12 schools.

Soon after, Governor Allen appointed Yecke and another classroom teacher, Lee Ware, to the State Board of Education. Governor Allen recognized the need to have people on the board who would embrace solid and meaningful reforms and who would establish a fair system of accountability for public schools in the Commonwealth. Yecke, board president Michelle Easton, and fellow board member Lil Tuttle led the move to implement Governor Allen’s vision for education reform. The result were the nationally-acclaimed Standards of Learning and Standards of Accreditation.

Yecke served on the Virginia State Board of Education under Governor George Allen from 1995-1998.

She left the Board upon her appointment as Virginia’s Deputy Secretary of Education (1998-2001) under Governor Jim Gilmore. At the end of his administration, she also served as Secretary of Education (2001-2002) for four months. During her time as Deputy Secretary, she testified to Congress regarding the merits of the "Straight A" legislation.

Serving the U.S. Department of Education (2002-2003)

Yecke was chosen to serve as the Director of Teacher Quality and Public School Choice at the U.S. Department of Education for the Bush administration (2002-2003). During this time she was responsible for developing guidance for various provisions of the No Child Left Behind legislation, including Title II (Teacher Quality), Paraprofessionals, Public School Choice (including Supplemental Educational Services and transfer options), and the Unsafe School Choice Option.

During this time she was also detailed to the White House as a senior advisor for USA Freedom Corps

Serving the State of Minnesota (2003-2004)

In 2003, Yecke was asked to serve as the Commissioner of Education for the State of Minnesota by Governor Tim Pawlenty. As Minnesota's education commissioner, Yecke drew criticism in what was a tumultuous political battle between the newly elected governor and the DFL-controlled Senate.

The previous administration had failed to implement the new No Child Left Behind legislation, and federal sanctions awaited the state if deadlines were not met. In addition, the state’s academic standards were widely criticized as the worst in the country. Yet in only 16 months, Yecke allowed unprecedented public participation in the writing of new academic standards, developed the state’s first-ever accountability system for K-12 public schools, and designed the state’s first school performance report card.

The task was enormous, and had to be accomplished in record time. National experts praised her work in developing the new social studies standards: “For evidence that states can turn things around, look to Minnesota. When Sheldon Stern reviewed that state’s U.S. history standards in 2003, the Land of 10,000 Lakes received an F. But that same year, Cheri Yecke, now chancellor of K-12 education in Florida but then Minnesota’s education commissioner, undertook a thorough overhaul of that state’s social studies standards (including U.S. and world history). The result is the A-rated standards that Minnesota enjoys in this report.”

This was a lot of change in a short period of time, and while many praised her work, others found fault in it. In a bitter partisan atmosphere, critics convinced the Senate to vote to not confirm her appointment in a straight party-line vote (35 to 31) at 3:40 a.m. on the last day of the 2004 legislative session.

According to one national analysis: “Her apparent sin? Being too 'controversial,' which is code for getting useful things done. And get things done she has, including dumping the state's atrocious Profile of Learning standards and shepherding a crackerjack set of social studies standards into being. Though Governor Tim Pawlenty has promised a vigorous fight before the full Senate, state Democrats seem determined to deprive the people of Minnesota of the services of a nationally recognized middle school and gifted education expert, experienced policy maker, and passionate advocate for reform.”

In spite of the rancor, Governor Pawlenty was pleased with Yecke’s work: "When I asked Dr. Yecke to move home to Minnesota to lead our administration's education reform efforts, the number one challenge I laid out was to repeal the Profile of Learning and replace it with real standards," said Governor Pawlenty. "Some might say that it was the enormity of the task that made her the target of such bitter partisanship. We all can stand here today with Dr. Yecke, heads held high, proud of this major accomplishment for Minnesota."

While Commissioner of Education she also chaired the Governor’s Quarter Dollar Commission. Working closely with the Minnesota Historical Society, the department of natural resources, and the office of tourism, the commission provided the mint with historically and biologically accurate depictions of design elements that were under consideration. Widespread public input resulted in the creation of the final design: An outline of the state with the words “10,000 Lakes” next to two people fishing on a quiet lake, silhouetted against a background of Norway pines, with a loon swimming peacefully in the foreground.

Center of the American Experiment (2004-2005)

After being rejected by the Senate, Yecke then worked as a senior fellow at the Minnesota-based conservative think tank, Center of the American Experiment, in the areas of education and social policy. She authored several research studies and wrote numerous commentaries on issues as diverse as civics, pornography, cultural decay, and Little House on the Prairie.

In "Education Accountability in Minnesota: No Child Left Behind (NCLB) and Beyond",Yecke gathered feedback from multiple stakeholders to develop ideas for the reauthorization of NCLB. The report received favorable reviews

Her next study "Kids, Schools, and Politics: Protecting the Integrity of Taxpayer Resources", researched the instances where taxpayer resources had been used to fund partisan political activities. She presented legislation from other states that address this issue.

In "Efficiency and Effectiveness in Minnesota School Districts: How Do Districts Compare?" Yecke developed a new ratio analysis technique to compute an Efficiency and Effectiveness Index (EEI) for the state's public school districts. After controlling for levels of student poverty, the EEI ranks districts in terms of their relative efficiency (as measured by per-pupil spending) and their effectiveness (as measured by high school graduation rates). Using an objective measure such as this highlights effective districts with the goal of encouraging them to share successful strategies. The report has received favorable reviews.

Sixth Congressional District Seat

Yecke then became one of six candidates seeking the Republican endorsement for Congress in Minnesota's 6th Congressional District.

She left the race when she was offered the job in Florida as Gov. Jeb Bush's Chancellor of K-12 Education, a position she began on October 3, 2005.

Serving the State of Florida (2005-2007)

As the Chancellor for K-12 Education in Florida, Yecke helped to develop Florida’s performance pay plans for teachers. Both E-Comp (Effectiveness Compensation) and STAR (Special Teachers Are Rewarded) based teacher bonuses on the learning gains of their students. She also coordinated and directed the first-ever review and revision of Florida’s academic standards in Reading, Language Arts, and History/Social Studies. This involved bringing together diverse groups of stakeholders to ensure an open and inclusive process.

Yecke initiated regular contact with all district superintendents and senior staff, providing for the first time ever an open dialogue between the Department and local districts. To further ensure good public service, she reorganized the K-12 Division of the Florida Department of Education to provide services to districts in a more focused, effective, and efficient manner.

Upon the retirement of Commissioner John Winn, Yecke announced her desire to serve as the Commissioner of Education, and was among the list of three finalists being considered. However, the position was given to Eric J. Smith, a senior vice president with the New York-based College Board. Having lost her bid for education commissioner, Florida's top public schools job, Yecke resigned as Florida's kindergarten-through-12th-grade chancellor in December 2007.

Books

In addition to commentaries published in newspapers and articles published in peer-reviewed journals, Yecke is the author of two books. "The War Against Excellence" argues that the middle school model produces poor academic achievement, as some adults place an inordinate amount of importance on such issues as self esteem and social justice, emphasizing these social issues to the detriment of academic learning. The book received several good reviews. "Mayhem in the Middle", published by the Fordham Foundation, contrasts the middle school model with the traditional K-8 school, and notes positive outcomes in K-8 schools.

In both books she makes the case that, in far too many cases, the needs of gifted learners are not being met.

Controversies

Advocacy for intelligent design and Teach The Controversy

In July of 2003 during her term as education commissioner, Yecke proposed that the Minnesota Science Standards include a technique favored by intelligent design proponents called Teach The Controversy in science curriculum. She cited the pro-intelligent design Santorum Amendment as supporting her effort. The versions of the Minnesota Science Standards circulated by Yecke contained language used by intelligent design advocates in the Teach The Controversy campaign which casts doubt on evolution while offering intelligent design as a competing theory. The version that was circulated among the public did not include these revisions. PZ Myers and other critics of intelligent design deemed the move an attempt to misinform the public in order to sway the committee decision in favor of intelligent design using public opinion.

In her campaign to be Florida's next education commissioner, Yecke has attempted to groom her reputation online. In June 2007, she disputed the accuracy of a 2003 newspaper article which reported her as saying that the Minnesota state education department policy supported schools deciding whether to include intelligent design in science curricula, and hired the Internet accuracy-watchdog service ReputationDefender as her advocate. Wesley R. Elsberry, marine biologist and critic of intelligent design whose blog The Austringer had referenced the article linking Yecke to the Teach The Controversy method of promoting intelligent design was contacted by ReputationDefender in June 2007. They requested that he remove a quote from Yecke on the issue of teaching creationism and intelligent design on the grounds that she disputes the quote in the original newspaper article. In considering the request Elsberry has asked for proof that the newspaper article did indeed quote Yecke inaccurately, going so far to contact the original reporter. Readers of blog then provided links to archived recordings of Twin Cities Public Television broadcasts from 2003 showing Yecke saying that teaching intelligent design was a decision local school districts could undertake and teaching intelligent design is supported by the Santorum Amendment. Elsberry says her statements in these broadcasts are consistent with the quote Yecke disputed and tried to remove in the newspaper article. PZ Myers, who had commented extensively on Yecke's support of intelligent design in the past, described the recent effort by Yecke to distance herself from intelligent design as an attempt to "whitewash the past and silence her critics".

Allegations of nepotism

Both in Minnesota in 2003 and in Florida in 2005, allegations of nepotism were raised by democrats and the press over Yecke's husband being placed in state jobs soon after Yecke had taken her positions. During her tenure as Minnesota's education commissioner in 2003, Yecke's husband was appointed as a deputy commissioner with the state's economic development agency by Republican Gov. Tim Pawlenty during a hiring freeze. Again, in 2005, this time as the K-12 education chancellor in Florida, Yecke's husband was hired as the deputy secretary of professional regulations by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation amid allegations that his qualifications did not significantly distinguish him from the rest of the qualified candidate pool available in Florida.

While some claim nepotism, this is widely disputed. In Virginia, Dennis was hired at the Virginia Department of Planning and Budget in 1993, a full two years before Dr. Yecke was appointed to the State Board of Education. In Florida, Department of Business and Professional Regulation Secretary Simone Marstiller called Dennis's qualifications very impressive, and further said: Considering that he's so well qualified, I wanted to snap him up before some other agency got him.