Eva Moskowitz Charter Pushes Out Harlem Special Ed School
Eva Moskowitz’s Success Academy charter schools (originally called Harlem Success Academy) have been ruthless in grabbing public school space from existing schools and crowding their “hosts” out. Currently they are involved in taking space from a Harlem public school dedicated to children with special needs. Moskowitz has several fabulously wealthy hedge fund managers on her board. It is a shame
Connecticut’s Privatization Manager Moves On
Jonathan Pelto reports that Debra Kurshan, the state’s “Chief Turnaround Officer” is leaving for another position after eight months on the job. What a close and cozy world these corporate reformers inhabit! As Pelto writes: “Commissioner Pryor has announced that Kurshan, who previously served as the head of School Portfolio Development for Mayor Bloomberg’s school privatization efforts and also
Is Time Running Out for the Reformers?
The public is beginning to awaken to the realities of what is deceptively called “school reform.” Read David Sirota’s terrific piece on how they are unraveling, here. First, what is happening in state after state, in direct response to federal policy, is school destruction, not reform. Second, the end game for the so-called “reformers” is privatization, not reform. Everything the “reformers” advoc
Gary Rubinstein Gives Good Advice to Teach for America
Gary Rubinstein is a former member of Teach for America, and he is now one of its toughest critics. He is also its best friend, but TFA doesn’t know it. His criticism is always fair and insightful, never angry or mean spirited. If TFA would listen to him, it could reclaim its original mission and goals. Because it does not listen, it does not learn. Instead, it cements its image as a narcissistic
How Charter Entrepreneurs Make Millions with Taxpayer Dollars
This is a stunning research job by Jersey Jazzman about the money tree that is turning canny businessmen into multimillionaires by investing in charter schools. They package financing from the U.S. Treasury Department, the U.S. Department of Education, the Walton Family Foundation, and they spin it into gold–for themselves. The family charter group he describes controls over $100 million in real
Minneapolis Public Schools: Will They Survive?
It is not news to readers of this blog that public education is under attack in cities across the nation by a politically powerful and heavily funded privatization movement. In some states, this movement has moved into the suburbs as well. This video pulls away the mask of reform and explains in clear detail the nexus of connections behind the privatization movement in Minneapolis. This district w
Diane in the Evening 7-10-13 Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all
Diane Ravitch's blog | A site to discuss better education for all: Sorry, You Missed Today’s Symposium about Cashing in on the Charter SectorIf only I had known sooner, I would have posted the announcement of today’s symposium. Yes! There is money to be made by investing in charter schools! It’s all about the children! It’s the civil rights issue of our time! And a great investment too!! “Bonds an