THE DARK HISTORY OF PRIVATIZATION
OF CALIFORNIA PUBLIC SCHOOLS
The privatization movement in California public education has a long and complex history. It can be traced back to the early 1990s, when a group of conservative activists began to argue that public schools were failing and that the only way to improve them was to privatize them. These activists were funded by a number of wealthy individuals and foundations, including the Walton Family Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
In 1992, these activists helped to pass Proposition 174, which allowed for the creation of charter schools in California. Charter schools are publicly funded schools that are run by private organizations. They are not subject to the same regulations as traditional public schools, and they are not required to unionize their teachers.
Since the passage of Proposition 174, the number of charter schools in California has exploded. Today, there are over 1,300 charter schools in the state, serving over 600,000 students. This growth has been driven by a number of factors, including the support of wealthy individuals and foundations, the lack of regulation, and the perception that charter schools are more effective than traditional public schools.
However, there is no evidence to support the claim that charter schools are more effective than traditional public schools. In fact, a number of studies have found that charter schools do not have a significant impact on student achievement. Additionally, charter schools have been criticized for their lack of accountability, their high turnover rates, and their use of public funds for private gain.
The privatization of public education in California is a complex issue with a long history. It is driven by a number of factors, including the support of wealthy individuals and foundations, the lack of regulation, and the perception that charter schools are more effective than traditional public schools. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that charter schools are more effective than traditional public schools. Additionally, charter schools have been criticized for their lack of accountability, their high turnover rates, and their use of public funds for private gain.
Who funds the California Charter Schools Association (CCSA)?
The CCSA is funded by a number of sources, including individual donations, foundation grants, and corporate sponsorships. Some of the largest donors to the CCSA include the Walton Family Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Which billionaires advocate for privatization of public education?
A number of billionaires have publicly advocated for the privatization of public education. Some of the most prominent advocates include:
* Walmart heiress Carrie Walton Penner
* Netflix CEO Reed Hastings
* Former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg
* Education reformer Betsy DeVos
Which districts are most privatized in California?
The districts in California that are most privatized are those that have the highest number of charter schools. These districts include:
* Los Angeles Unified School District
* Oakland Unified School District
* San Francisco Unified School District
* Long Beach Unified School District
* Sacramento City Unified School District
Is public education underfunded in California?
Yes, public education in California is underfunded. In 2019, California ranked 47th in the nation in per-pupil spending on public education. This underfunding has led to a number of problems, including overcrowded classrooms, a lack of qualified teachers, and a shortage of resources.
The privatization of public education in California is a serious problem. It is driven by a number of factors, including the support of wealthy individuals and foundations, the lack of regulation, and the perception that charter schools are more effective than traditional public schools. However, there is no evidence to support the claim that charter schools are more effective than traditional public schools. Additionally, charter schools have been criticized for their lack of accountability, their high turnover rates, and their use of public funds for private gain.
The privatization of public education is a threat to the future of our children. It is important to stand up to this movement and fight for the right of all children to a quality public education.
Privatization of California Public Schools: A Bad Idea
Well, well, well, it seems like the privatization movement in California public education is the new MAGA meat. Everyone is talking about it, from billionaires to politicians to parents to teachers. But what is it exactly and why should we care? Let me give you a brief overview of this hot mess.
First of all, let's go back to the 1970s and 1980s when conservative think tanks and foundations started to promote market-based reforms and vouchers as alternatives to traditional public schools. They argued that public schools were failing, inefficient, and unaccountable, and that parents and students deserved more choice and competition in education. Sounds reasonable, right? Wrong.
The problem with this argument is that it's based on a false premise. Public schools are not failing, they are underfunded and undervalued. Teachers are not lazy or incompetent, they are overworked and underpaid. Students are not apathetic or stupid, they are diverse and disadvantaged. The solution to these problems is not to abandon public education but to invest in it, support it, and improve it.
Enter the California Charter School Association (CCSA), the largest statewide charter school organization in the country, representing over 1,300 charter schools serving more than 660,000 students. The CCSA advocates for charter school expansion, autonomy, accountability, and funding at the state and local levels. But who funds the CCSA? Oh, just a bunch of billionaires like Dick and Betsy DeVos, the Walton family, Reed Hastings, Doris Fisher, Eli Broad, John Arnold, Bill Gates, and others. These folks have poured millions of dollars into supporting pro-charter candidates, ballot initiatives, lobbying efforts, research, media, and litigation. They share a common vision of undermining public education and promoting private interests in the name of school choice.
Now, some of these billionaires are also involved in other sectors, such as technology, energy, finance, retail, and defense. For example, Betsy DeVos is the current Secretary of Education under President Trump and the sister of Erik Prince, the founder of Blackwater (now Xe), a private military contractor. Reed Hastings is the CEO of Netflix and a former board member of Microsoft. John Arnold is a former Enron trader and hedge fund manager. Bill Gates is the co-founder of Microsoft and one of the richest people in the world. What do they know about education? Apparently, enough to buy it.
The privatization movement has had a significant impact on California's public education system, especially in urban areas with high concentrations of low-income students and students of color. Charter schools have proliferated across the state, often at the expense of traditional public schools that lose funding, resources, and enrollment. Charter schools have also been accused of cherry-picking students, excluding those with special needs or behavioral issues, and creating segregation and inequality in education. In other words, they are not the solution but the problem.
But wait, there's more. The privatization movement has also faced resistance from various stakeholders, including teachers' unions, parents' groups, community organizations, civil rights advocates, and researchers. They have challenged the claims and practices of charter schools and their supporters, exposing cases of fraud, mismanagement, corruption, discrimination, and poor performance. They have also advocated for more democratic governance, transparency, accountability, and equity in education. In other words, they are the solution but the underdogs.
So, what's the bottom line? The privatization of California public schools is a bad idea because it undermines public education, promotes private interests, exacerbates inequality, and ignores the real problems of underfunding and undervaluing. We need to invest in public education, support teachers and students, and improve the system from within. We also need to hold accountable those who seek to profit from education and those who seek to undermine it. It's not a matter of choice, it's a matter of justice.