Want to guarantee a vigorous education debate? Just ask this question: “Do Charter Schools Deserve the Spotlight?”

That’s what the National Journal’s education blog asked this past week, and the pundits came out in force. Answers ranged from Joel Klein’s “you betcha” (actually the New York City schools chancellor didn’t use those exact words) to Diane Ravitch’s “You’ve got to be kidding.” (again, a paraphrase.)

But truly, what Ravitch had to say about charters was equally pointed: “They represent deregulation and privatization,” the New York University research professor wrote. “Deregulation nearly destroyed our national economy. What will it do to public education?”

(Note: You can catch Ravitch’s equally provocative comments in ASBJ’s current cover story, in which she and six other experts are asked to assess “Year One” of the Obama administration’s education agenda.)

For the record, Chancellor Klein says charters have helped public education in his city. And he cited last year’s New York State English Language Arts and mathematics exams, which showed charter school students outperforming their peers in regular public schools.

Somewhere between Ravitch and Klein on this question is NSBA’s Anne Bryant (also featured in ASBJ’s panel on Obama) who says charters offer promise but should only be authorized by the body that has prime responsibility for educating children in a given district: the local school board. NSBA’s executive director said boards “must carefully evaluate their effectiveness as they do with all schools.”

Need another topic that’s guaranteed to get a response? How about taking on special programs for gifted students?  The Washington Post’s Jay Matthews does so — he generally favors more inclusive programs with differentiated instruction — and incurs the pique of many parents of gifted children, who tell stories of schools that all but ignored their children’s special needs. This is one blog where the comments are as fascinating — and revealing — as the original post.

Lawrence Hardy, Senior Editor