Lest We Forget: The Devastation Caused by Hurricane Sandy
The national election took center stage this week.
But we should not forget the suffering of tho were in the path of Hurricane Sandy.
These are graphic photos of the hurricane’s destructive force. Well worth viewing, as many people still lack power, heat, gasoline, and are now homeless.
Do what you can to help.
Give to the American Red Cross or other agencies that are providing temporary relief.
But we should not forget the suffering of tho were in the path of Hurricane Sandy.
These are graphic photos of the hurricane’s destructive force. Well worth viewing, as many people still lack power, heat, gasoline, and are now homeless.
Do what you can to help.
Give to the American Red Cross or other agencies that are providing temporary relief.
Virtual Insanity
Florida law requires schools to offer online courses to children in every grade, even as young as kindergarten.
There is no evidence or research to support this mandate.
None.
Wonder if this has anything to do with the political power of Jeb Bush, now the nation’s leading enthusiast for online learning? Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that his Foundation for Excellence in Education is
There is no evidence or research to support this mandate.
None.
Wonder if this has anything to do with the political power of Jeb Bush, now the nation’s leading enthusiast for online learning? Wonder if it has anything to do with the fact that his Foundation for Excellence in Education is
Community Supporters Win Seats on Austin School Board
The Austin Independent School Board has recently been divided by the hard-driving actions of its Broad-trained superintendent.
Angered by the superintendent’s decision to hand a public school over to the IDEA charter chain earlier this year, community groups organized and elected four new members to the board.
The new members are pledged to listen to parents and communities before initiating new policies.
Angered by the superintendent’s decision to hand a public school over to the IDEA charter chain earlier this year, community groups organized and elected four new members to the board.
The new members are pledged to listen to parents and communities before initiating new policies.
To Sue or Not to Sue: That is the Question
In Nashville, two new members of the school board debate whether the Metro Nashville school board should sue the state for withholding $3.4 million to punish the board.
TFA Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman, who is devoted to charter schools and privatization, withheld the $3.4 million from Nashville to punish the board because it rejected an application from the Great Hearts charter corporation of Arizona. The board did not like the fact that Great Hearts had a defective plan for diversity, would locate in an affluent neighborhood, and has a reputation for requiring an upfront “contribution” of $1200-1500 from
TFA Commissioner of Education Kevin Huffman, who is devoted to charter schools and privatization, withheld the $3.4 million from Nashville to punish the board because it rejected an application from the Great Hearts charter corporation of Arizona. The board did not like the fact that Great Hearts had a defective plan for diversity, would locate in an affluent neighborhood, and has a reputation for requiring an upfront “contribution” of $1200-1500 from
Privatizers Capture Control of Indianapolis School Board
It was very exciting that Glenda Ritz managed to oust uber-privatizer Tony Bennett in Indiana, but meanwhile the privatization movement gained ground in Indianapolis, where a group called the Mind Trust has called for the abolition of the school district.
Its candidates captured control of the school board in yesterday’s election, promising the moon, the sun, and the
Its candidates captured control of the school board in yesterday’s election, promising the moon, the sun, and the
Indiana GOP Insists that Votes for Ritz Mean Nothing
In an article today, Indiana GOP leaders announced their determination to pursue Tony Bennett’s anti-teacher, pro-privatization agenda even though Bennett lost his bid for re-election.
Bennett’s challenger, Glenda Ritz, collected more votes than Mike Pence, the Republican who won the governor’s seat.
She won despite Bennett’s expenditure of ten times as much as she had for the campaign.
She won despite the support of national rightwing groups promoting Bennett as the exemplar of school “reform.”
Bennett’s challenger, Glenda Ritz, collected more votes than Mike Pence, the Republican who won the governor’s seat.
She won despite Bennett’s expenditure of ten times as much as she had for the campaign.
She won despite the support of national rightwing groups promoting Bennett as the exemplar of school “reform.”
Cracking the Story about Money Behind Charter Referenda
Some investigative journalist is going to win major prizes for breaking open the story about the money and the motives of those promoting privatization of public education.
Motoko Rich drops tantalizing hints in her story in the New York Times. We learn that the charter referendum in Georgia was funded by “out-of-state donors, including Alice Walton, the daughter of the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton; Americans for Prosperity, the Tea Party group founded by the billionaire Koch brothers; and several companies that manage charter schools. Supporters of the amendment outspent opponents by about 15 to 1.”
The Georgia amendment was based on ALEC model legislation.
In Washington state, “Donors included Ms. Walton, the Bezos foundation, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the co-
Motoko Rich drops tantalizing hints in her story in the New York Times. We learn that the charter referendum in Georgia was funded by “out-of-state donors, including Alice Walton, the daughter of the founder of Walmart, Sam Walton; Americans for Prosperity, the Tea Party group founded by the billionaire Koch brothers; and several companies that manage charter schools. Supporters of the amendment outspent opponents by about 15 to 1.”
The Georgia amendment was based on ALEC model legislation.
In Washington state, “Donors included Ms. Walton, the Bezos foundation, and Bill Gates and Paul Allen, the co-
Tony Bennett Blames Unions, Common Core
In an interview with Education Week, defeated Indiana superintendent blamed his loss on the teachers’ union and on his support for the Common Core standards. He said that his challenger Glenda Ritz drew away some of his conservative base by criticizing the Common Core.
Bennett’s loss stunned supporters in the rightwing reform world.
It looks like Florida is in his future. He is a favorite of Jeb Bush,
Bennett’s loss stunned supporters in the rightwing reform world.
It looks like Florida is in his future. He is a favorite of Jeb Bush,