The movement to privatize public schools marches on during covid-19 pandemic - The Washington Post

The movement to privatize public schools marches on during covid-19 pandemic - The Washington Post

The movement to privatize public schools marches on during covid-19 pandemic

While many Americans see 2021 as the year that may bring back something close to normalcy after the covid-19 pandemic, it has instead been declared the “Year of School Choice” by the American Federation for Children, an organization that promotes alternatives to public education and that was once headed by Betsy DeVos.

Anyone who was thinking that the departure of DeVos as U.S. education secretary would stem the movement to privatize public education should think again.

In numerous states, legislatures have proposed or are considering legislation to expand alternatives to the public schools that educate most American schoolchildren, often using public funding to pay for private and religious school.

This post looks at some of the latest state actions. It was written by Carol Burris, a former prizewinning principal in New York and now executive director of the nonprofit advocacy group the Network for Public Education, which opposes charter schools and the privatization of public education.

Former lobbyist details how privatizers are trying to end public education

By Carol Burris

Legislatures in 35 states have proposed bills to enact or expand voucher programs or charter schools. A few have passed; others have failed. Still others are sitting on governors’ desks or are stalled in the state’s House or Senate. Several are obvious attempts to please right-wing donors with no chance of moving out of committee. So far, eight states have enacted one or more bills. CONTINUE READING: The movement to privatize public schools marches on during covid-19 pandemic - The Washington Post