Why School Privatization is an Irresistible Urban Development Strategy for Economic Elites
By Mark Naison
In almost every urban center in the nation, a cross section of the business community seeks to dismantle urban public schools and to replace them with charter schools supported by a campaign of demonization aimed at teachers and at their unions.
The list of benefits that elites expect to realize from privatizing urban public school systems includes the following:
1. Tax credits
Federal tax codes allow a 39% tax credit for investing in a new charter school, allowing investors to recoup their initial investment in seven years and begin registering profits.
Federal tax codes allow a 39% tax credit for investing in a new charter school, allowing investors to recoup their initial investment in seven years and begin registering profits.
2. Real-estate speculation
Closing public schools destabilizes lower- and working-class neighborhoods and forces residents into suburbs or the outskirts of cities, allowing real-estate investors to buy up existing properties at bargain rates and to build market-level units that attract a far wealthier clientele. You can see this kind of investment in New York, Chicago and Washington neighborhoods.
Closing public schools destabilizes lower- and working-class neighborhoods and forces residents into suburbs or the outskirts of cities, allowing real-estate investors to buy up existing properties at bargain rates and to build market-level units that attract a far wealthier clientele. You can see this kind of investment in New York, Chicago and Washington neighborhoods.
3. State contracts
Consulting firms receive lucrative contracts to “turn around” failing schools and districts, or to provide professional development services to newly created charters. Major universities offer programs in “Educational Entrepreneurship” budding profiteers.
Consulting firms receive lucrative contracts to “turn around” failing schools and districts, or to provide professional development services to newly created charters. Major universities offer programs in “Educational Entrepreneurship” budding profiteers.
4. For-profit charter schools/on-line schools
This Florida phenomenon will take root in many other states.
This Florida phenomenon will take root in many other states.
5. Diminished bargaining power for private-sector employees
Destroying a key union in the public sector weakens the labor movement as a bargaining agent and as a political force.
Destroying a key union in the public sector weakens the labor movement as a bargaining agent and as a political force.
With so much at stake for the economic elites, it becomes quite clear why they attack urban public schools with such ferocity. Only through broad-based and militant resistance can this effort be thwarted.Why School Privatization is an Irresistible Urban Development Strategy for Economic Elites - BK Nation: