Thoughts From a Sit-In
Author and advocate Mike Klonsky again writes to Deborah Meier today. The two are currently co-blogging on Bridging Differences.
"Sixty years later, 'separate and unequal' is still alive ... privatizing our school systems results in increased segregation, not improved opportunities." - Democratic Party strategist Donna Brazile.
Deb,
I think that, for both of us, the current struggle goes way beyond testing and common-core issues. I'm reminded of this as we commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision.
Related to this, one of the points we touched on in earlier exchanges was the connection between school and community. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I probably put more emphasis on the strategic importance of school/community partnerships, while you see them primarily as forcing necessary but risky compromises upon schools and teachers. I also think you have a much gloomier perspective than I do on current possibilities. Maybe these two differences are related.
As you point out, my perspective may be tilted toward things large and urban. I was considering that on Friday as I was sitting-in with parents and supporters at Gresham Elementary School on Chicago's South Side. The occupation was in protest of Mayor Rahm Emanuel's attempt to close the school, fire the entire faculty teachers and staff, and turn the school over to a private management company.
This practice has become a central piece of school district policy in a city where the mayor controls the schools and his top-down approach to school reform led to the closing of 50 schools this year, nearly all in poor and African-American neighborhoods. That policy, combined with the wild expansion of privately-run charters, has parents and community residents up in arms, with protests like this Thoughts From a Sit-In - Bridging Differences - Education Week: