My Friends in Louisiana
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| Corporate Reformer |
Readers may notice that I often post about what is happening in Louisiana.
There are several reasons for this.
One is that Louisiana is truly an important site for what is now called school reform. It became important after Hurricane Katrina wiped out most of the public school system, and New Orleans became a closely-watched experiment in privatizing public education. Corporate reformers frequently refer to New Orleans as their shining example of the good that will come as a result of getting rid of public education, teachers’ unions, and veteran teachers.
Another reason is that I have amazing contacts in Louisiana. The most important contact is Dr. Lance Hill of the Southern Institute for Education and Research. He sends me the latest studies, reports, and news articles. Hill is a careful researcher, and I frequently rely on him to get the facts right. And experience has proven to me that
There are several reasons for this.
One is that Louisiana is truly an important site for what is now called school reform. It became important after Hurricane Katrina wiped out most of the public school system, and New Orleans became a closely-watched experiment in privatizing public education. Corporate reformers frequently refer to New Orleans as their shining example of the good that will come as a result of getting rid of public education, teachers’ unions, and veteran teachers.
Another reason is that I have amazing contacts in Louisiana. The most important contact is Dr. Lance Hill of the Southern Institute for Education and Research. He sends me the latest studies, reports, and news articles. Hill is a careful researcher, and I frequently rely on him to get the facts right. And experience has proven to me that
Who Knows Naomi Klein?
A reader thinks that Naomi Klein should revisit the Louisiana story and see how the “shock doctrine” has progressed:
| Diane, I too have a passion for Louisiana, and a couple of friends there who also keep me in the loop.Your tireless efforts to tell the truth about what has happened in Louisiana since Milton Friedman decided to use “Shock Doctrine” to his advantage is very important to stopping Jindal from his merciless destruction of public education and democracy itself!For those who are not familiar with Naomi’s introduction to “The Shock Doctrine – The Rise of Disaster Capitalism”- here is a brief excerpt from her intro: “Over at the shelter, Jamar could think of nothing else. “I really don’t see it as cleaning Chicago Parents Are Sick and Tired of Their School BoardWe in New York City know about a school board appointed by the mayor with orders not to listen to anyone but him. We know about a school board that treats parents and teachers as nuisances. Chicago parents know it too, and they aren’t going to take it without speaking out, as they are not allowed to do at “public hearings.” They know what they want: smaller class size, respect for their teachers, resources for their schools. But their school board doesn’t agree, doesn’t want to hear them and doesn’t respect them. |