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Tuesday, December 28, 2010

Letter: Imperative to keep an eye on school ‘reform’ - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Letter: Imperative to keep an eye on school ‘reform’ - Springfield, IL - The State Journal-Register

Letter: Imperative to keep an eye on school ‘reform’

Reform groups in Illinois such as Stand for Children and Advance Illinois, funded by Bill Gates and other wealthy individuals, believe they have the answer to public education issues by demanding unreasonable reform measures. Ironically, education reformer Gates did not even complete college.

I am alarmed that the little-known Oregon group Stand for Children reportedly gave $650,000 to recent legislative campaigns. Is this why Reps. Keith Farnham and Jehan Gordon, each reportedly receiving $50,000 and $100,000, are on the “school reform” committee hastily set up by House Speaker Mike Madigan?

Not on the committee but supposedly receiving funds were GOP candidate Ryan Higgins at $175,000, and Reps. Robert Flider and Mark Walker and Sen. Toi Hutchinson $50,000 each. Chairing the committee is Rep. Linda Chapa La Via, a proponent of charter schools.

The reforms demanded are 1.) teachers receiving three unsatisfactory evaluations in 10 years will lose their jobs and their