Boldest Candidacy of the Season
TFA alum moves to Minneapolis in May.
Decides to run for school board to share his youth and spirit of innovation.
Raises seven times as much as experienced teacher from out-of-state friends.
Money can’t buy you love but can it buy a school board seat?
Are the voters fooled?
We will see soon enough.
Decides to run for school board to share his youth and spirit of innovation.
Raises seven times as much as experienced teacher from out-of-state friends.
Money can’t buy you love but can it buy a school board seat?
Are the voters fooled?
We will see soon enough.
Big $$$ Swamps Oakland School Board Race
School board elections in Oakland, California, are usually low-budget races, as they are in most places.
But this year, a PAC has amassed $185,000 to elect its slate of candidates. The California Charter School Association put up $49,995 and two wealthy individuals added nearly $100,000 more for the slate.
Also on the ballot is a $475 million bond issue. If it passes, the board will determine how it is spent.
Critics worry that the slate will favor charters and a privatization agenda. The head of the PAC says the thought never crossed her mind.
But this year, a PAC has amassed $185,000 to elect its slate of candidates. The California Charter School Association put up $49,995 and two wealthy individuals added nearly $100,000 more for the slate.
Also on the ballot is a $475 million bond issue. If it passes, the board will determine how it is spent.
Critics worry that the slate will favor charters and a privatization agenda. The head of the PAC says the thought never crossed her mind.
Big Out-of-State $$$ Floods Local Race in New Jersey: Why?
Big political contributions have poured into a local school board race in Perth Amboy, New Jersey.
Donors in California andColorado are supporting a slate of school board candidates in that small New Jersey district.
As Jersey Jazzman explains here, the school board in Perth Amboy has been trying to oust the district’s divisive superintendent. Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf has protected her, preventing the board from getting rid of her. The election provides an opportunity to fire the board and install one that will defend Chris Christie’s agenda: anti-teacher, anti-union, anti-tenure, pro-privatization.
As Jersey Jazzman writes:
It seems absurd, and yet it’s true: four wealthy Californians and one wealthy Coloradan – heavy hitters in the
Donors in California andColorado are supporting a slate of school board candidates in that small New Jersey district.
As Jersey Jazzman explains here, the school board in Perth Amboy has been trying to oust the district’s divisive superintendent. Acting Commissioner of Education Chris Cerf has protected her, preventing the board from getting rid of her. The election provides an opportunity to fire the board and install one that will defend Chris Christie’s agenda: anti-teacher, anti-union, anti-tenure, pro-privatization.
As Jersey Jazzman writes:
It seems absurd, and yet it’s true: four wealthy Californians and one wealthy Coloradan – heavy hitters in the
Why So Many Young White Females?
EduShyster has noticed an ominous trend: as reform advances, as charter schools open, the number of black teachers and veteran teachers shrinks dramatically.
In Chicago, since “reform” started in 1995, the proportion of black teachers has dropped from 45% to 19%.
In Boston, the numbers in the new charters are shocking.
But, as our friend EduShyster notes: The achievement gap is the civil rights issue of our time—which is why it
In Chicago, since “reform” started in 1995, the proportion of black teachers has dropped from 45% to 19%.
In Boston, the numbers in the new charters are shocking.
But, as our friend EduShyster notes: The achievement gap is the civil rights issue of our time—which is why it
Recipe for Privatization of Public Education
A reader from Washington State sends this comment:
Here is a satirical “Recipe for How To Change The Nation’s Schools.” I am a 33 year classroom teaching veteran currently working on the campaign to stop the charter school initiative in WA state. It doesn’t look good as Bill Gates and friends spend $9 million on ads (we have no ads).
RECIPE for Taking over a Nation’s Public Schools
Ingredients:
• A Few Super Wealthy Families (that have never attended public schools)
• Powerful Religious Groups convinced that what is wrong with the nation is caused by public education.
• Lobbyists for Private Corporations Waiting To Cash In on Public Money.
Here is a satirical “Recipe for How To Change The Nation’s Schools.” I am a 33 year classroom teaching veteran currently working on the campaign to stop the charter school initiative in WA state. It doesn’t look good as Bill Gates and friends spend $9 million on ads (we have no ads).
RECIPE for Taking over a Nation’s Public Schools
Ingredients:
• A Few Super Wealthy Families (that have never attended public schools)
• Powerful Religious Groups convinced that what is wrong with the nation is caused by public education.
• Lobbyists for Private Corporations Waiting To Cash In on Public Money.
Why Robert Skeels Should Be Elected to LAUSD Board
A retired educator in Los Angeles writes:
Los Angeles is the only city in the big 3(New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago) that is not run by a mayor. It almost happened and is still a threat. Several years ago, when Mayor Villaraigosa did not get control of the schools, he threw money and support behind friendly board member candidates. This has been a disaster for Los Angeles children. One of the mayor’s favorites, Yolie Flores Aguilar, presented a plan to put LAUSD schools out to bid. This lead to disruption and more privatization. As a result, funding for traditional schools has been severely cut back with thousands of teachers laid off including librarians and nurses.
Robert Skeels has been a tireless advocate for all the children in LAUSD and if elected, would unseat Monica Garcia, one of the mayor’s favorites. This would end years of gridlock and political cronyism. It is even more
Los Angeles is the only city in the big 3(New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago) that is not run by a mayor. It almost happened and is still a threat. Several years ago, when Mayor Villaraigosa did not get control of the schools, he threw money and support behind friendly board member candidates. This has been a disaster for Los Angeles children. One of the mayor’s favorites, Yolie Flores Aguilar, presented a plan to put LAUSD schools out to bid. This lead to disruption and more privatization. As a result, funding for traditional schools has been severely cut back with thousands of teachers laid off including librarians and nurses.
Robert Skeels has been a tireless advocate for all the children in LAUSD and if elected, would unseat Monica Garcia, one of the mayor’s favorites. This would end years of gridlock and political cronyism. It is even more
LISTEN TO DIANE RAVITCH 11-3-12 Diane Ravitch's blog
Diane Ravitch's blog: [image: Click on picture to Listen to Diane Ravitch] The North Carolina Vision by dianerav The many thousands of people who read the letter from a teacher in North Carolina explaining why he quit may be surprised to learn that the state board of education adopted a mission statement in early October. The state board asserted in its vision statement the importance of public education in the state. It was written with the help of the Duke economist Helen F. Ladd and her husband Edward B. Fiske, who is a a former education editor at the New York Times. I received ... more »