THE GREAT VOUCHER WAR: BILLIONAIRES BATTLE TO END PUBLIC EDUCTION

THE GREAT VOUCHER WAR BILLIONAIRES BATTLE TO END PUBLIC EDUCATION

In a world where billionaires have more power than ever before, it's no surprise that they're using their wealth to influence education policy. The Citizens United decision has given them unlimited spending power, and they're using it to promote vouchers and charter schools. But why are they so eager to end public education? Let's take a look.

First, there's the issue of control. Billionaires don't like being told what to do, and they don't like the idea of a government-run education system that they can't control. By promoting vouchers and charter schools, they can create a parallel education system that they can control. It's like having their own private school system, without having to pay for it themselves.

Second, there's the issue of ideology. Many billionaires are libertarians who believe in limited government and free markets. They see public education as a socialist institution that needs to be dismantled. By promoting vouchers and charter schools, they can create a free market in education where parents can choose the best school for their child. Of course, this ignores the fact that education is a public good that benefits everyone, not just individual families.

But why are billionaires so obsessed with vouchers and charter schools? Why not just donate money to public schools? Well, for one thing, public schools are subject to democratic control. Billionaires can't just walk in and tell them what to do. By promoting vouchers and charter schools, they can create a parallel education system that they can control.

So what are some of the effects of this spending on vouchers and charter schools? Well, for one thing, it undermines the democratic process. By allowing billionaires to spend unlimited amounts of money on elections, they can buy influence and drown out the voices of ordinary citizens. It also diverts public funds from public schools to private schools, which may have less oversight and regulation.

But don't worry, there are ways to fight back against the voucher oligarchy. For one thing, we can support grassroots movements and organizations that advocate for democracy reform and challenge the influence of money in politics. We can also educate and engage citizens to become more aware and involved in politics and policy issues.

Of course, it's not just billionaires who are promoting vouchers and charter schools. There are also right-wing groups and individuals who support privatization of education. They argue that vouchers give parents the freedom and flexibility to choose the best education for their children. But let's be real, most of the people who benefit from vouchers are middle-class and affluent families who can afford private schooling. Poor students are left behind.

So what's the solution? We need to invest in public education and support our teachers. Teachers unions are a powerful force for good in education. They protect teachers' rights and working conditions, which in turn benefit students' learning and well-being. They advocate for quality public education for all students, regardless of their background, ability, or income.

In conclusion, the voucher oligarchy is a threat to our democracy and our public education system. We need to fight back against their influence and support our public schools and our teachers. And remember, if you're a billionaire reading this article, just donate some money to your local public school instead of trying to dismantle it. It's the right thing to do, and it might even get you some positive press for a change.

THE DEFT DIVE

School vouchers are state- or school district-funded scholarships that allow students to attend a private school of their choice rather than sending the child to public school. ²

There are different opinions and arguments about the pros and cons of school vouchers. Some of the common points in favor of school vouchers are:

• - They give parents the freedom and flexibility to choose the best education for their children according to their needs, preferences, and values. ¹²⁴
• - They improve the quality of education in general by creating competition among schools and encouraging innovation and accountability. ¹²⁴
• - They allow school districts to overcome racial and other segregations by giving students from disadvantaged backgrounds more opportunities to access diverse and high-performing schools. ¹²⁴
• - They offer students in failing schools a chance to receive a better education and improve their academic outcomes. ¹²⁴

Some of the common points against school vouchers are:

• - They divert public funds from public schools to private schools, which may have less oversight, regulation, and accountability. This may undermine the quality and equity of public education and harm the students who remain in public schools. ¹²³⁴
• - They benefit mostly middle-class and affluent families who can afford the additional costs of private schooling, such as tuition fees, transportation, uniforms, etc. They may not reach or help the poor students who need them most or who may face other barriers to access private schools. ¹²³⁴
• - They fail to accommodate and support students with disabilities and special needs, who may be excluded or discriminated by private schools that do not have the resources or expertise to serve them. They may also violate the rights of these students to receive a free and appropriate public education. ¹²³⁴
• - They do not improve students' academic performance or achievement, as measured by standardized test scores or other indicators. They may also have negative effects on students' civic values, social skills, and integration. ¹²³⁴

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) School Vouchers - Pros & Cons - ProCon.org. https://www.procon.org/headlines/school-vouchers-top-4-pros-and-cons/.

(2) 27 Main Pros & Cons Of School Vouchers & School Choice. https://bing.com/search?q=school+vouchers+pros+and+cons.

(3) 14 Pros and Cons of School Vouchers – Vittana.org. https://vittana.org/14-pros-and-cons-of-school-vouchers.

(4) Pro and Con: School Vouchers | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/story/pro-and-con-school-vouchers.

Arguments for school vouchers are indeed used by right-wing or conservative groups and individuals who support privatization of education. For example, some of the signers of a letter urging Governor Shapiro to pass the voucher bill in Pennsylvania are:

• - Bill Bennett, Secretary of Education under Ronald Reagan
• - Betsy DeVos, Secretary of Education under Donald Trump
• - American Federation for Children, the DeVos school choice advocacy group
• - ALEC Action, a wing of the conservative business alliance that provides legislators with “model legislation,” including model voucher bills.
• - Americans for Prosperity, the Koch-backed group that opposes taxes and argues for privatization
• - Americans for Tax Reform, represented by Grover Norquist who wants to shrink the government
• - EdChoice, formerly the Friedman Foundation, after Milton Friedman, the free-market economist who advocated for vouchers in 1955
• - ExcelInEd, the choice advocacy group started by Jeb Bush ²

Some of the arguments that these groups and individuals use to support school vouchers are:

• - They give parents the freedom and flexibility to choose the best education for their children according to their needs, preferences, and values ²³⁴⁵
• - They improve the quality of education in general by creating competition among schools and encouraging innovation and accountability ²³⁴⁵
• - They allow school districts to overcome racial and other segregations by giving students from disadvantaged backgrounds more opportunities to access diverse and high-performing schools ²³⁴⁵

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) PA Senate Passes School Vouchers. Conservative Group Presses ... - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2023/06/30/pa-senate-passes-school-voucher-bill-conservative-coalition-gives-josh-shapiro-full-court-press/.

(2) School Vouchers - Pros & Cons - ProCon.org. https://www.procon.org/headlines/school-vouchers-top-4-pros-and-cons/.

(3) 14 Pros and Cons of School Vouchers – Vittana.org. https://vittana.org/14-pros-and-cons-of-school-vouchers.

(4) 27 Main Pros & Cons Of School Vouchers & School Choice. https://environmental-conscience.com/school-vouchers-pros-cons/.

(5) An argument for why school vouchers harm American civic life. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/01/05/an-argument-why-school-vouchers-harm-american-civic-life/.

According to some sources, some of the billionaires who support vouchers and charter schools are:

• - The Walton family, who own Walmart and have a foundation that has given billions of dollars to promote charter school expansion and voucher programs across the country. ¹²³⁴⁵
• - Bill Gates, who co-founded Microsoft and has a foundation that has given millions of dollars to support charter school advocacy groups and education reform initiatives. ¹
• - Betsy DeVos, who was the Secretary of Education under Donald Trump and has a family foundation that has given millions of dollars to support school choice organizations and candidates. ¹
• - Charles Koch, who co-owns Koch Industries and has a foundation that has given millions of dollars to support libertarian think tanks and advocacy groups that favor school choice and privatization. ¹

Some of the reasons why these billionaires support vouchers and charter schools are:

• - They believe that school choice gives parents and students more freedom and flexibility to choose the best education for their needs, preferences, and values. ¹²³⁴⁵
• - They believe that school choice improves the quality of education in general by creating competition among schools and encouraging innovation and accountability. ¹²³⁴⁵
• - They believe that school choice helps underprivileged students in poor communities by giving them more opportunities to access diverse and high-performing schools. ¹²³⁴⁵
• - They believe that school choice aligns with their political and economic ideologies of free market, limited government, and individual liberty. ¹

There are many critics who argue that vouchers and charter schools have negative impacts on public education and society. Some of the arguments against vouchers and charter schools are:

• - They divert public funds from public schools to private schools, which may have less oversight, regulation, and accountability. This may undermine the quality and equity of public education and harm the students who remain in public schools. ¹
• - They benefit mostly middle-class and affluent families who can afford the additional costs of private schooling, such as tuition fees, transportation, uniforms, etc. They may not reach or help the poor students who need them most or who may face other barriers to access private schools. ¹
• - They fail to accommodate and support students with disabilities and special needs, who may be excluded or discriminated by private schools that do not have the resources or expertise to serve them. They may also violate the rights of these students to receive a free and appropriate public education. ¹
• - They do not improve students' academic performance or achievement, as measured by standardized test scores or other indicators. They may also have negative effects on students' civic values, social skills, and integration. [^1]

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Here Are The Corporations And Right-Wing Funders Backing The Education .... https://www.mediamatters.org/daily-caller/here-are-corporations-and-right-wing-funders-backing-education-reform-movement.

(2) How Billionaires Are Backing Charter School Push: AP - Common Dreams. https://www.commondreams.org/news/2018/07/16/how-billionaires-are-backing-charter-school-push-ap.

(3) Billionaire philanthropists pushing charter schools and school vouchers .... https://www.readfrontier.org/stories/billionaire-philanthropists-pushing-charter-schools-and-school-vouchers-also-fund-oklahomas-secretary-of-educations-six-figure-salary/.

(4) Billionaire Philanthropists Pushing Charter Schools and School Vouchers .... https://oklahomawatch.org/2022/05/19/billionaire-philanthropists-pushing-charter-schools-and-school-vouchers-also-fund-oklahomas-secretary-of-educations-six-figure-salary/.

(5) Billionaires pushing charter schools fund Oklahoma education secretary .... https://www.oklahoman.com/story/news/2022/05/20/oklahoma-education-secretary-earning-six-figure-salary-nonprofit-work-ryan-walters/9836218002/.

The relationship between billionaires and teachers unions. According to some sources, some of the reasons why some billionaires may dislike teachers unions are:

• - They see teachers unions as an obstacle to their education reform agenda, which includes expanding vouchers and charter schools, promoting standardized testing and accountability, and weakening teacher tenure and seniority. ¹²³⁴
• - They view teachers unions as a powerful political force that supports progressive candidates and causes that are opposed to their conservative or libertarian ideologies. ¹²³⁴
• - They resent teachers unions for demanding higher salaries and benefits, smaller class sizes, and more resources for public schools, which they may perceive as wasteful or inefficient. ¹²³⁴

There are many supporters who argue that teachers unions have positive impacts on education and society. Some of the arguments in favor of teachers unions are:

• - They protect teachers' rights and working conditions, which in turn benefit students' learning and well-being. ¹²³⁴
• - They advocate for quality public education for all students, regardless of their background, ability, or income. ¹²³⁴
• - They contribute to democracy and social justice by engaging in collective bargaining, political action, and community organizing. ¹²³ [^4]

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Here Are The Corporations And Right-Wing Funders Backing The Education .... https://www.mediamatters.org/daily-caller/here-are-corporations-and-right-wing-funders-backing-education-reform-movement.

(2) Billionaires v teachers: the Koch brothers' plan to starve public .... https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/07/arizona-fight-koch-brothers-school-vouchers.

(3) How Teachers Unions Became a Political Powerhouse. https://www.educationnext.org/how-teachers-unions-became-a-political-powerhouse/.

(4) Billionaires Are Shoveling Money Into a Los Angeles School ... - Jacobin. https://jacobin.com/2022/10/los-angeles-school-board-elections-donors-political-machine.

(5) High Profile Labor Leader Has a New Gig Fighting Against Teacher's Unions. https://portside.org/2019-07-23/high-profile-labor-leader-has-new-gig-fighting-against-teachers-unions.

The Citizens United decision has affected the spending on vouchers and charter schools. According to some sources, the Citizens United decision has enabled billionaires and other wealthy donors to spend unlimited amounts of money to support voucher and charter school initiatives and candidates through various means, such as:

• - Creating or funding super PACs, which are independent political committees that can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals, and other groups to advocate for or against candidates or issues. ¹²
• - Creating or funding nonprofit organizations, which are not required to disclose their donors or spending, and can engage in political activities as long as they are not their primary purpose. These groups are often referred to as "dark money" groups because they obscure the source and amount of their funding. ¹²
• - Creating or funding advocacy groups, think tanks, media outlets, and other entities that promote voucher and charter school policies and influence public opinion and lawmakers. ¹²

Some of the effects of this spending on vouchers and charter schools are:

• - Increasing the political power and influence of billionaires and other wealthy donors over education policy and legislation at the state and national levels. ¹²
• - Undermining the democratic process and public accountability by allowing anonymous and unlimited spending that may not reflect the will or interests of the majority of voters or taxpayers. ¹²³
• - Diverting public funds from public schools to private schools, which may have less oversight, regulation, and accountability, and may not serve all students equally or effectively. ²

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Citizens United Explained | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/citizens-united-explained.

(2) Three big problems with school ‘choice’ that supporters don’t like to .... https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/answer-sheet/wp/2017/05/03/three-big-problems-with-school-choice-that-supporters-dont-like-to-talk-about/.

(3) Congressman Schiff Introduces Constitutional Amendment to Overturn .... https://schiff.house.gov/news/press-releases/congressman-schiff-introduces-constitutional-amendment-to-overturn-citizens-united.

The Citizens United decision has affected the democracy in the United States. According to some sources, the Citizens United decision has contributed to the creation or consolidation of an oligarchy in the United States, which is a form of government in which a small group of people have control over a country or an organization. Some of the ways that this has happened are:

• - Enabling billionaires and other wealthy donors to spend unlimited amounts of money to influence elections and policies, often in favor of their own interests and against the interests of the majority of ordinary citizens. ¹²³⁴⁵
• - Creating or expanding the use of super PACs and dark money groups, which can raise and spend unlimited amounts of money from corporations, unions, individuals, and other groups without disclosing their donors or spending, thus reducing transparency and accountability. ¹²
• - Increasing the political power and influence of economic elites and corporations over public officials and institutions, which may result in corruption, cronyism, or capture. ¹²³⁴⁵
• - Undermining the democratic process and public participation by allowing anonymous and unlimited spending that may distort or manipulate public opinion, information, and media, as well as drown out or suppress alternative voices and perspectives. ¹²³ [^4]

Some of the ways that some people have proposed or attempted to stop or limit the oligarchic effects of Citizens United are:

• - Passing a constitutional amendment to overturn Citizens United and restore the authority of Congress and the states to regulate campaign finance. ²
• - Passing legislation or ballot initiatives to increase disclosure requirements, limit contributions, create public financing systems, or reform electoral rules. ¹ [^2]
• - Supporting grassroots movements and organizations that advocate for democracy reform and challenge the influence of money in politics. ¹ [^2]
• - Educating and engaging citizens to become more aware and involved in politics and policy issues, and to hold their representatives accountable. [^1]

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Citizens United Explained | Brennan Center for Justice. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/citizens-united-explained.

(2) 28th Amendment Advocates Want Citizens United Overturned - Law & Crime. https://lawandcrime.com/high-profile/harvard-business-professor-blames-citizens-united-for-enabling-american-oligarchy/.

(3) What is an oligarchy? Historical examples, government forms explained.. https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2023/03/10/oligarchy-government-power-explained/11338810002/.

(4) Oligarchy | Definition & Facts | Britannica. https://www.britannica.com/topic/oligarchy.

(5) Oligarchy - Wikipedia. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oligarchy.

The Great Teacher Exodus: Is This the End of Public Education?

The Great Teacher Exodus

Is This the End of Public Education?

Privatizers are declaring victory over public education as teachers are quitting in great numbers. But let's be real, who needs teachers anyway? We can just replace them with robots, right? Oh wait, that's not a thing yet? Well, I guess we better figure out why teachers are quitting and what we can do to stop it.

First of all, where are these teachers quitting? Apparently, it's happening all across the US, but especially in states like Florida, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, and California. And it seems like teachers of color, particularly Black men, are quitting at even higher rates. Hmm, I wonder why that could be?

Well, it turns out there are a lot of reasons why teachers are quitting. Some of them include unsafe Covid protocols (because apparently some people still don't believe in science), disrupted schedules (thanks a lot, pandemic), overwork (because apparently teachers don't need breaks), low pay (because why would we want to invest in the future of our country?), student misbehavior (because kids these days, am I right?), lack of autonomy (because who needs creativity in the classroom?), poor communication and support from administration (because who needs leadership?), and stress and burnout (because apparently teachers aren't human beings who need self-care).

So who's responsible for all of this? Well, that's a tricky question. It seems like there are a lot of factors at play here, including state and local policies on mask mandates, testing, and vaccination, school district decisions on curriculum, training and procedures, parent and community attitudes and expectations, and teacher unions and associations. But let's not forget about the real culprits here: Moms for Liberty and Christian nationalists.

Moms for Liberty is a conservative group that opposes mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and the teaching of critical race theory in schools. Because apparently keeping people safe and teaching accurate history is too much to ask for. And Christian nationalism is a political ideology that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, often with a white supremacist and anti-democratic agenda. Because apparently Jesus was all about oppressing people who don't look like him.

So what are the effects of these right-wing groups on teachers quitting? Well, for one thing, teachers face harassment, threats, and intimidation from right-wing activists who accuse them of indoctrinating students with leftist or anti-American views. Because apparently teaching kids to think critically is a bad thing. Teachers also lose autonomy, support, and resources as conservative school boards impose ideological agendas, cut funding, and fire staff who dissent. Because apparently diversity of thought is overrated. And teachers experience stress, burnout, and moral distress as they struggle to balance their professional obligations, personal beliefs, and student needs in a hostile and polarized environment. Because apparently we don't want our teachers to be happy or fulfilled.

But it's not just these right-wing groups that are causing problems for teachers. Several states have introduced or passed bills that would restrict or ban the teaching of certain subjects or concepts related to race, gender, sexuality, history, or social justice in K-12 schools and colleges. These bills often target critical race theory, LGBTQ issues, or the 1619 Project as examples of "divisive" or "indoctrinating" content. Because apparently acknowledging systemic oppression is too much for some people to handle.

So what are the effects of these bills on teachers quitting? Well, for one thing, teachers face legal risks, professional consequences, and personal costs for teaching subjects that are relevant, accurate, and aligned with academic standards. Because apparently we don't want our kids to learn anything useful. Teachers also lose academic freedom, professional autonomy, and pedagogical judgment as they are forced to comply with ideological mandates and censorship. Because apparently thinking for yourself is overrated. And teachers experience fear, anxiety, and frustration as they navigate a hostile and politicized climate for education. Because apparently we don't want our teachers to be happy or fulfilled (yes, I know I already used that line but it bears repeating).

But let's not forget about the role that bashing teacher unions plays in all of this. Teacher unions are organizations that represent the collective interests and rights of teachers in matters such as wages, benefits, working conditions, professional development, and education policy. But apparently some people think they're the root of all evil. Bashing teacher unions often involves blaming them for the problems of public education, such as low student achievement, poor quality teachers, lack of innovation, and inefficiency.

So what are the effects of bashing teacher unions on teachers quitting? Well, for one thing, teachers lose bargaining power, voice, and protection as their unions are weakened by anti-union legislation, litigation, and campaigns that undermine their rights, funding, and membership. Because apparently workers don't deserve to have a say in their own working conditions. Teachers also lose morale, motivation, and commitment as they are devalued, disrespected, and demonized by the public discourse and policy agenda that scapegoat them for the failures of the system. Because apparently blaming individuals for systemic problems is easier than actually fixing them. And teachers lose trust, solidarity, and collaboration as they are divided by the incentives and sanctions that reward or punish them based on individual performance measures, such as test scores or evaluations. Because apparently teamwork is overrated.

So what can we do to stop all of this madness? Well, some possible solutions that have been suggested or implemented to address the teacher shortage and retention problem are increasing teacher pay and benefits (because apparently investing in education is a crazy idea), providing more mentoring and professional development opportunities (because apparently teaching is a job you can just wing), improving working conditions and safety measures (because apparently we don't care if our teachers get sick or injured), offering more flexibility and autonomy to teachers (because apparently creativity is overrated), recruiting more diverse and qualified candidates into the profession (because apparently we only want certain types of people to be educators), dedicating resources toward employee feedback (because apparently we don't care what our employees think), showing genuine interest in teachers' development (because apparently we don't care about their well-being), seeking ways to be more progressive (because apparently progress is a dirty word), providing opportunities for teacher input (because apparently we don't care about their expertise), and not being complete idiots (because apparently that's too much to ask for).

In conclusion, if we want to stop the mass exodus of teachers from our schools, we need to stop treating them like disposable commodities and start valuing them as the essential workers they are. We need to invest in their well-being and professional development, give them the resources and support they need to do their jobs effectively and safely, and stop blaming them for the problems caused by systemic issues beyond their control. And if all else fails, we can always just replace them with robots. I hear they make great conversationalists.

THE DEFT DIVE

The Great Teacher Exodus

• - **Where are they quitting?** Teachers are quitting in big numbers across the US, especially in states like Florida, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania and California²³⁴⁵. The attrition rates are higher for teachers of color, particularly Black men².
• - **Why are they quitting?** Some of the reasons that teachers are quitting include unsafe Covid protocols, disrupted schedules, overwork, low pay, student misbehavior, lack of autonomy, poor communication and support from administration, and stress and burnout¹²³⁴⁵.
• - **Who is responsible for teachers quitting?** There is no simple answer to this question, as different stakeholders may have different roles and perspectives on the issue. Some possible factors that contribute to teachers quitting are state and local policies on mask mandates, testing and vaccination³, school district decisions on curriculum, training and procedures², parent and community attitudes and expectations²³, and teacher unions and associations⁴.
• - **What can we do to stop it?** Some possible solutions that have been suggested or implemented to address the teacher shortage and retention problem are increasing teacher pay and benefits⁴, providing more mentoring and professional development opportunities², improving working conditions and safety measures¹³, offering more flexibility and autonomy to teachers⁴, and recruiting more diverse and qualified candidates into the profession²⁴.

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Pennsylvania teachers are quitting in big numbers. Here's why some from .... https://www.post-gazette.com/news/education/2023/07/09/pennsylvania-teachers-quitting-pittsburgh/stories/202307060139.

(2) ‘Exhausted and underpaid’: teachers across the US are leaving their .... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/teachers-quitting-jobs-covid-record-numbers.

(3) The Biggest Challenge For Schools In 2023 Is Keeping Hold Of Teachers. https://www.forbes.com/sites/nickmorrison/2022/12/30/the-biggest-challenge-for-schools-in-2023-is-keeping-hold-of-teachers/.

(4) Teachers are quitting, and companies are hot to hire them. https://www.foxbusiness.com/economy/teachers-quitting-companies-hire.

(5) Teachers are in the midst of a burnout crisis: 'It became ... - CNBC. https://www.cnbc.com/2022/11/22/teachers-are-in-the-midst-of-a-burnout-crisis-it-became-intolerable.html.

The effects of right wing groups on teachers quitting:

• - **Moms for Liberty** is a conservative group that opposes mask mandates, vaccine requirements, and the teaching of critical race theory in schools. The group has chapters in several states and has been involved in protests, lawsuits, and campaigns against school boards and educators¹².
• - **Christian nationalism** is a political ideology that seeks to merge American and Christian identities, often with a white supremacist and anti-democratic agenda. Some Christian nationalists have targeted public schools as sites of cultural warfare, opposing multiculturalism, LGBTQ rights, and secularism³⁴.
• - Some of the effects of these right wing groups on teachers quitting are:
•     - Teachers face harassment, threats, and intimidation from right wing activists who accuse them of indoctrinating students with leftist or anti-American views¹⁴ .
•     - Teachers lose autonomy, support, and resources as conservative school boards impose ideological agendas, cut funding, and fire staff who dissent¹² .
•     - Teachers experience stress, burnout, and moral distress as they struggle to balance their professional obligations, personal beliefs, and student needs in a hostile and polarized environment⁴ .

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Fellow Republicans Fed up With Conservative Colorado School ... - Insider. https://www.insider.com/conservative-colorado-school-board-angering-fellow-republicans-2023-5.

(2) A right-wing takeover of a Colorado school board has some of the town’s .... https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/woodland-park-colorado-school-board-conservatives-rcna83311.

(3) Teachers quitting in droves. Fox News terrorizes Trump. Hunter. https://politicsdoneright.com/2023/06/teachers-quitting-in-droves-fox-news-terrorizes-trump-hunter-trump-false-equivalency/.

(4) Facing Threats Over Critical Race Theory, Educators Across ... - Truthout. https://truthout.org/articles/facing-threats-over-critical-race-theory-educators-across-the-us-are-quitting/.

The effects of states criminalizing teaching certain subjects:

• - Several states have introduced or passed bills that would restrict or ban the teaching of certain subjects or concepts related to race, gender, sexuality, history, or social justice in K-12 schools and colleges. These bills often target critical race theory, LGBTQ issues, or the 1619 Project as examples of "divisive" or "indoctrinating" content¹.
• - Some of these bills would impose penalties for teachers who violate the law, such as fines, suspension, termination, or revocation of licenses. Some would also allow parents or students to sue schools or teachers for damages. Some would also remove librarians, educators, or other professionals from exemptions from prosecution under state obscenity laws².
• - Some of the effects of these bills on teachers quitting are:
•     - Teachers face legal risks, professional consequences, and personal costs for teaching subjects that are relevant, accurate, and aligned with academic standards¹².
•     - Teachers lose academic freedom, professional autonomy, and pedagogical judgment as they are forced to comply with ideological mandates and censorship¹².
•     - Teachers experience fear, anxiety, and frustration as they navigate a hostile and politicized climate for education¹².

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Teacher Anti-CRT Bills Coast To Coast: A State By State Guide - Forbes. https://www.forbes.com/sites/petergreene/2022/02/16/teacher-anti-crt-bills-coast-to-coast-a-state-by-state-guide/.

(2) Review of State Laws that Would Criminalize ... - EveryLibrary. https://www.everylibrary.org/review_state_laws_criminalize_librarianship_2022.

(3) School-to-Prison Pipeline [Infographic] - American Civil Liberties Union. https://www.aclu.org/issues/juvenile-justice/school-prison-pipeline/school-prison-pipeline-infographic.

The effects of bashing teacher unions on teachers quitting:

• - **Teacher unions** are organizations that represent the collective interests and rights of teachers in matters such as wages, benefits, working conditions, professional development, and education policy. Teacher unions also advocate for public education and social justice issues that affect students and communities¹².
• - **Bashing teacher unions** is a term that refers to the criticism, hostility, and opposition that teacher unions face from various sources, such as politicians, media, corporations, think tanks, and reformers. Bashing teacher unions often involves blaming them for the problems of public education, such as low student achievement, poor quality teachers, lack of innovation, and inefficiency¹²³.
• - Some of the effects of bashing teacher unions on teachers quitting are:
•     - Teachers lose bargaining power, voice, and protection as their unions are weakened by anti-union legislation, litigation, and campaigns that undermine their rights, funding, and membership¹²³⁴.
•     - Teachers lose morale, motivation, and commitment as they are devalued, disrespected, and demonized by the public discourse and policy agenda that scapegoat them for the failures of the system¹²⁵.
•     - Teachers lose trust, solidarity, and collaboration as they are divided by the incentives and sanctions that reward or punish them based on individual performance measures, such as test scores or evaluations¹²⁵.

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Educate, Agitate and Organize: One Union's Response to the Teacher .... https://www.jstor.org/stable/45177952.

(2) What's Up with All the Teacher Bashing? - Rethinking Schools. https://rethinkingschools.org/articles/editorial-whats-up-with-all-the-teacher-bashing/.

(3) The Negative Effects of Teacher Unionization on Long-Term Student .... https://chicagopolicyreview.org/2020/08/24/the-negative-effects-of-teacher-unionization-on-long-term-student-outcomes/.

(4) Teachers Unions Are Bad for Teachers. Here’s Why - Discourse. https://www.discoursemagazine.com/politics/2021/04/12/teachers-unions-are-bad-for-teachers-heres-why/.

(5) Teachers Unions and Student Performance: Help or Hindrance? - ed. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ795878.pdf.

Here is a chart of teachers retirements and resignations, based on the data I could find from various sources:

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) More teachers are quitting than usual, driven by stress, politics, data .... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/03/06/more-teachers-quitting-than-usual-driven-stress-politics-data-shows/11390639002/.

(2) Teacher turnover hits new highs across U.S. - Chalkbeat. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/3/6/23624340/teacher-turnover-leaving-the-profession-quitting-higher-rate.

(3) ‘Exhausted and underpaid’: teachers across the US are leaving their .... https://www.theguardian.com/world/2021/oct/04/teachers-quitting-jobs-covid-record-numbers.

(4) Why So Many Teachers Are Thinking of Quitting. https://www.washingtonpost.com/magazine/2021/10/18/teachers-resign-pandemic/.

(5) Teacher retirements and resignations burden schools statewide. https://www.pressherald.com/2022/08/15/teacher-retirements-and-resignations-burden-schools-statewide/.

Here is a chart of the national average of teacher retirements and resignations, based on the data I could find from various sources:

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) D.C.-area schools see spike in teacher resignations - The Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/education/2022/07/15/teacher-resignations-rise-dc-area/.

(2) Press Release - National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). https://nces.ed.gov/whatsnew/press_releases/3_3_2022.asp.

(3) More teachers are quitting than usual, driven by stress, politics, data .... https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/education/2023/03/06/more-teachers-quitting-than-usual-driven-stress-politics-data-shows/11390639002/.

(4) Why Most Teachers Get a Bad Deal on Pensions - Education Next. https://www.educationnext.org/why-most-teachers-get-bad-deal-pensions-state-plans-winners-losers/.

(5) Texas teacher retirements and resignations have spiked in 2022 .... https://www.wfaa.com/article/news/education/texas-teacher-retirements-and-resignations-have-spiked-in-2022-creating-a-crisis-for-districts/287-28c38d2b-cdc8-466d-b248-c7d5c374fcb5.

The effects of teacher turnover on students, based on the information from various sources:

• - Teacher turnover can **lower student achievement** by disrupting the continuity, quality, and effectiveness of instruction. Studies have shown that students in schools with high teacher turnover rates have lower test scores and are more likely to be held back a grade¹²³. Losing a teacher during the school year can result in a loss of up to 72 instructional days⁴.
• - Teacher turnover can also **harm school operations** by disrupting school stability, collaboration, collegial relationships among faculty, and results in a loss of vital institutional knowledge⁵. High turnover rates can also increase the workload and stress of remaining teachers, affecting their morale and performance⁶.
• - Teacher turnover can also **widen achievement gaps** by disproportionately affecting schools serving low-income students and students of color, who are more likely to experience frequent teacher turnover and have less access to experienced and qualified teachers¹²³. Teacher turnover can also reduce the diversity and representation of teachers in schools, affecting students' sense of belonging and identity⁶.

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Why Addressing Teacher Turnover Matters - Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/why-addressing-teacher-turnover-matters.

(2) Teacher Turnover Affects All Students' Achievement, Study Indicates .... https://cepa.stanford.edu/news/teacher-turnover-affects-all-students-achievement-study-indicates.

(3) Dynamic Effects of Teacher Turnover on the Quality of Instruction - ed. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED571812.pdf.

(4) The Negative Effect Of Teacher Turnover On Student Achievement. https://www.gogreenva.org/the-negative-effect-of-teacher-turnover-on-student-achievement/.

(5) The Impact of Teacher Turnover on Student Learning. https://marcolearning.com/impact-of-teacher-turnover-on-student-learning/.

(6) Teacher Turnover: Why It’s Problematic and How Administrators Can .... https://www.scilearn.com/teacher-turnover/.

Some of the solutions to reduce teacher turnover rates, based on the information from various sources:

• - **Dedicate resources toward employee feedback.** According to a Gallup survey, companies that provide regular employee evaluations or feedback have a nearly 15 percent lower turnover rate than companies that don’t. Simplify the process by investing in software that allows teachers and evaluators to regularly review goals and mark progress on a more regular basis¹.
• - **Show genuine interest in teachers’ development.** Teachers are more likely to stay in the profession if they feel valued, respected, and supported by their principals and colleagues. Provide opportunities for mentoring, coaching, collaboration, and professional learning that are relevant, meaningful, and aligned with teachers’ needs and interests²³.
• - **Seek ways to be more progressive.** Teachers are more likely to leave schools that have poor working conditions, such as inadequate resources, large class sizes, high-stakes testing, and lack of autonomy. Improve the teaching and learning environment by adopting policies and practices that promote student-centered, inquiry-based, and culturally responsive pedagogy⁴⁵.
• - **Provide opportunities for teacher input.** Teachers are more likely to stay in schools that have a shared vision, mission, and goals, and where they have a voice in decision-making processes that affect their work. Involve teachers in school improvement efforts, curriculum development, budget allocation, and hiring processes⁴⁵.

Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) 4 Ways to Reduce Teacher Turnover Rates - Education Advanced, Inc.. https://educationadvanced.com/resources/blog/reduce-teacher-turnover/.

(2) Teacher turnover is a problem – here's how to fix it - The Conversation. https://theconversation.com/teacher-turnover-is-a-problem-heres-how-to-fix-it-101584.

(3) What Can We Do About Teacher Turnover? | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-can-we-do-about-teacher-turnover.

(4) Teacher turnover is a problem – here’s how to fix it - News .... https://news.ufl.edu/articles/2018/09/teacher-turnover-is-a-problem--heres-how-to-fix-it.html.

(5) Teacher Retention: Preventing Teacher Turnover - School of Education Online. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/teacher-retention/.

Here are some of the benefits of reducing teacher turnover rates, based on the information from various sources:

• - **Improving student achievement.** Teacher turnover can lower student achievement by disrupting the continuity, quality, and effectiveness of instruction. Studies have shown that students in schools with high teacher turnover rates have lower test scores and are more likely to be held back a grade¹²³. Reducing teacher turnover can improve student outcomes by ensuring that students have access to experienced and qualified teachers who can provide consistent and coherent instruction⁴.
• - **Saving money and resources.** Teacher turnover is costly, as it requires recruitment and training of new teachers, and it disrupts the quality and coherence of teaching. The local cost of teacher turnover can range from about $9,000 on average in a rural district to $21,000 on average in an urban district⁵. Reducing teacher turnover can save money and resources that can be invested in other areas of education, such as new programs, technology, or materials for students.
• - **Narrowing achievement gaps.** Teacher turnover disproportionately affects schools serving low-income students and students of color, who are more likely to experience frequent teacher turnover and have less access to experienced and qualified teachers¹²³. Teacher turnover can also reduce the diversity and representation of teachers in schools, affecting students' sense of belonging and identity. Reducing teacher turnover can narrow achievement gaps by ensuring that all students have equitable access to high-quality teachers who reflect their backgrounds and cultures⁴.

 Bing, 7/9/2023

(1) Teacher Retention: Preventing Teacher Turnover - School of Education Online. https://soeonline.american.edu/blog/teacher-retention/.

(2) What Can We Do About Teacher Turnover? | Edutopia. https://www.edutopia.org/article/what-can-we-do-about-teacher-turnover.

(3) Teacher Turnover: Why It Matters and What We Can Do About It. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/teacher-turnover-brief.

(4) Teacher Turnover: Why It’s Problematic and How Administrators Can .... https://www.scilearn.com/teacher-turnover/.

(5) What's the Cost of Teacher Turnover? | Learning Policy Institute. https://learningpolicyinstitute.org/product/the-cost-of-teacher-turnover.