Wall Street Loves National Charter Schools Week (Big Profits)

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools:

Welcome to National Charter Schools Week

Wall Street ♥ charter schools | Muckety - See the news

Wall Street ♥ charter schools | Muckety - See the news:

Wall Street ♥ charter schools

By Laurie Bennett

May 5, 2013 at 9:37am

Call them cynical, but the widespread involvement of financial firms in the charter school movement raises suspicion among many public school advocates.

The map below illustrates just a few entanglements of big league investors in national school-choice organizations.

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Many hedge funders and financiers contribute to state-level groups or to individual schools. Billionaire Carl Icahn founded the Bronx charter school named for him. Spencer Robertson, son of billionaire Julian Robertson, started PAVE Academy in Red Hook, NY.

Hedge funder John Arnold, founder of Centaurus Advisors, is one of the most generous advocates for school choice.

His foundation has given millions of dollars to charter school networks such as KIPP and YES Prep.

New Markets Tax Credit

One of the perks of investment in charter schools came with passage in 2000 of the New Markets Tax Credit, a federal tax break for investors in community development projects.

Big banks have seen the allure. The map below shows banks and other organizations that have put money into community development organizations funding charter schools since 2009.

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JPMorgan Chase, one of the investors, created a $325 million fund for charter schools in 2010.

“Many charter schools have expanded access to academic opportunities for students in all types of communities, so we shouldn’t let tough economic times bring them down,” Chairman and CEO Jamie Dimon said at the time. “Improving educational opportunities is a cornerstone of JPMorgan Chase’s philanthropic giving.”

The politics of school choice

One side effect of the growth of charter schools is the weakening of public-school unions, long a major source of support for Democratic candidates.

Yet school choice, despite its solid support among conservatives, is not just a Republican issue.

Liberal icon George Soros has supported charter schools, as has Bruce A. Karsh, a frequent Democratic donor shown in the top map above.

Indeed, there is even an organization called Democrats for Education Reform, which advocates for charter schools. Not surprisingly, its board is dominated by people from the financial sector.

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The most current example of the blurring of party lines is probably Chicago, where Democratic Mayor Rahm Emanuel has endorsed more charter schools. Funding for some of the schools came from the Walton family, the Wal-Mart heirs who generally back Republicans.

While not a Wall Street firm, Walmart is certainly a favorite of many investors. The map below provides a glimpse of the heirs’ longtime support for school choice:

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Wall Street ♥ charter schools | Muckety - See the news: 

 

National Association of Charter School Authorizers (NACSA) Group: 1 in 5 charter schools not doing well enough to stay open

A group that oversees more than half of the nation's 5,600 charter schools said
 as many as one in five U.S. charter schools should be shut down because of 
poor academic performance. 
http://seattletimes.com/html/nationworld/2019784379_charterschools29.html

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS WEBSITE

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS

A compilation of news articles about charter schools which have been charged with, or are highly suspected of, tampering with admissions, grades, attendance and testing; misuse of funds and embezzlement; engaging in nepotism and conflicts of interest; engaging in complicated and shady real estate deals; and/or have been engaging in other questionable, unethical, borderline-legal, or illegal activities. This is also a record of charter school instability and other unsavory tidbits.

Couldn't Find Your Own Special Charter School Scandal
Just Type the name of your city or charter school in the box below

  

CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS

If you don't find yours today

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CHARTER SCHOOL SCANDALS

Be sure to check out two other Great blogs:

-THE BROAD REPORT (as in Eli) 

-THE PERIMETER PRIMATE

“I Would Prefer Not To”: A Call for Non-Cooperation – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

“I Would Prefer Not To”: A Call for Non-Cooperation – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

“I Would Prefer Not To”: A Call for Non-Cooperation

by plthomasedd

 Writing about a call for a moratorium on implementing and testing Common Core State Standards (CCSS) from union leadership, Anthony Cody ends his blog post with three questions:

What do you think? Should we join Randi Weingarten in pushing for one year’s delay in the harsh consequences attached to Common Core assessments? Will this year put the project on sound footing?

These questions about CCSS have been joined by two other calls for compromise and civility—Matthew Di Carlo challenging charges that value-added methods (VAM) of teacher evaluation are “junk science” and Jennifer Jennings penning an apology to Secretary of Education Arne Duncan for protests at his 2013 talk at American Educational Research Association (AERA).

Weingarten, Di Carlo [1], and Jennings share a call for standing in the middle of the 

Douglas County, CO, we’re worried about you. – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER

Douglas County, CO, we’re worried about you. – @ THE CHALK FACE knows SCHOOLS MATTER:

Douglas County, CO, we’re worried about you.

by Chalk Face, PhD

Here, we have a Douglas County student climbing into a large cigarette box.

We have many friends in Colorado. Douglas County, a very conservative part of the state, keeps coming up in terms of propagating the worst corporatized education reforms have to offer.

We have a document here from the District that discusses Reinventing American Education based on the CCSS and something called the ATCS2. Any help out there on that?

In addition to the rather strange pencil drawings of faceless students, we read a great deal about 21st century this or that. Judging by the design and presentation of this document, in its quaint pencil style, we may not quite be there yet.

Is this some kind of marketing tool or proposal? Douglas County seems to be making the hard sell here that, after a “fairly thorough environmental scan” (whatever that means), they are the most well-behaved and compliant district around.

I don’t know, I’m not going to read this too closely. That’s up to you. But I can’t 

An important graphic on comparing apples to apples #poverty #capeducation

by Chalk Face, PhD

UPDATE: The in box. + Support our union + IFT on the pension deal. | Fred Klonsky

IFT on the pension deal. | Fred Klonsky:

The in box. The pension deal and collective bargaining.

by Fred Klonsky

In response to a reader comment that compared the We Are One coalition’s deal with Cullerton to Neville Chamberlain and appeasement, former IEA President and pension activist (and friend) responded:

I disagree with your analogy TOTALLY!
NO!!!!! negotiations does not mean appeasement. I negotiated 15 contracts for my local -I never felt like Chamberlain or an “appeaser”!!! Sitting down and talking, working through differences, compromising is a time honored way to settle differences. Collective bargaining is a long, long held Union tradition, technique, right — not some form of appeasement!
Going to court is rolling the dice -that process is out of our control!
- Bob Haisman

Kudos to Hais for defending the pension deal even more aggressively than the union leadership.

The in box. Hais says, “Support our union.” I do.

by Fred Klonsky

Dear Fred (and the IRTA)
Fred I have a lot of respect for you and your willingness to challenge ….
I understand the IRTA disappointment at not being at the table but they are not a union, they did not want to play the part of a union. I’m sorry they feel slighted.
I believe with all my heart that the IEA leadership “did the right thing”. Negotiations is the way to solve these things. “Just Say No” is just not a viable option – except to be run over.
Because it is a negotiated agreement not everyone will be happy. That often is the results in negotiations. I know you were a local negotiator — Criticism is to be expected — but just like back in our locals — criticize – ask tough questions — but support your union in the end.

IFT on the pension deal.

by Fred Klonsky

Dear Members,
We are writing with important and historic news. As you know, we have been fighting to protect our pensions for several years now. While defending against drastic attacks to our guaranteed benefits, we have also been proactively trying to address the state’s fiscal crisis.
For the past several weeks, our union coalition has been meeting with Senate President John Cullerton to try to negotiate a pension agreement, demonstrating our willingness to share in the sacrifice and be part of the solution in the fairest way possible.
And finally, we have reached an agreement.
The agreement echoes our principles. It includes an ironclad funding guarantee, revenue by dedicating additional payments to the pension system, contractual protections for access to health care in retirement under several options, and limits the shared sacrifice asked of workers and retirees who did not cause this problem. You will find a full summary of the agreement here. 
President Cullerton calls our agreement “credible” and “constitutional.” It represents our willingness to help stabilize our retirement systems, but remains our final, best offer.
We have paid into the systems dutifully from every paycheck while Springfield skipped payments. 

John Dillon on the pension deal.

by Fred Klonsky

As pre-teens, my brother and I used to fantasize and argue at night from our beds about illogical differences. For example, I held that the French Foreign Legion was a better choice than my brother’s favorite: British Commandos. The two bills remind me of one of our quickly settled arguments: how would you prefer to die – by sword or gun?
…If you are wondering about the “choice” bill when first brought up, Bayer was quick to dismiss it, and he earned the wrath of Cullerton for quite some time, probably still. Not only did Stevens, AFSCME’s lawyer describe the coerciveness of the choice but Mr. Bayer also reminded Cullerton 

Where has this kind of pragmatism gotten us?

by Fred Klonsky

I sent an email to the local IEA office this morning canceling my seat on the bus to Springfield next Wednesday.
It wouldn’t feel right going to Springfield to lobby against SB2404 on a bus paid for by the IEA.
Even though I pay dues.
SB2404 is the deal worked out between Democratic Senate President John Cullerton and the We Are One coalition of state employee unions.
You can see the details of the deal here.
I asked my colleagues in our new Skokie chapter of IEA -Retired what they thought about going to Springfield.

The in box. The Illinois Retired Teachers Association (IRTA) opposes the pension deal.

by Fred Klonsky

As you are probably aware the We Are One Illinois coalition including the IEA negotiated an agreement with Senate President Cullerton concerning pension reform. The agreement is structured as a choice proposal affects current retirees.
The proposal will provide a choice between access to healthcare and accepting a staggered two-year COLA freeze or keeping your 3% compounded COLA and no retiree health care access.
The impairment and diminishment language in the proposal is clearly unconstitutional. The IRTA will continue to oppose legislation that diminishes benefits for retirees.

The in box. Express you views on the pension deal at Orland Park forum.

by Fred Klonsky

Southwest Suburban Federation of Teachers
AFT Local 943
AFT Local 943 and Orland Council 135
are proud to present
PENSION FORUM 2013
Monday, May 13th at 4:30 p.m.
Century Junior High
10801 W. 159th Street
Orland Park, Illinois
Please attend, share your concerns, and learn the latest on what’s happening in Illinois and how 

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! XOXO Walmart | EduShyster

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! XOXO Walmart | EduShyster:

Happy Teacher Appreciation Day! XOXO Walmart

by edushyster2012

Imagine that you are possessed of the surname “Walton” and happen to be sitting on mad coin—say a cool $90 billion. How do you celebrate the occasion that is Teacher Appreciation Day? Do you chip in to give the nation’s teachers a raise, knowing they’ve been hard hit by the recession? Do you send them gift cards to Walmart, the store that hath so enrichethed you? If you are a teacher in Massachusetts, the Waltons have an extra special treat in store for you: a fully-funded gala at the Statehouse urging the replacement of the state’s many non-excellent teachers with fresh new innovators who will share their excellence one renewable year at a time. Happy Teacher Appreciation Day, xoxo Walmart!
You see, here in Massachusetts, the annual occasion on which politicians 

Tuesday on the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education

Tuesday on the Whole Child Virtual Conference — Whole Child Education:

THE WHOLE CHILD BLOG

Tuesday on the Whole Child Virtual Conference

May 7, 2013 by Whole Child Virtual Conference

We invite you to participate in ASCD's third annual Whole Child Virtual Conference. Entitled "Moving from Implementation to Sustainability to Culture," sessions will offer educators around the globe leadership discussions and strategies to support their work to implement and sustain a whole child approach to education.

Change: Making it Happen in Your School and System

10:00–11:00 a.m. eastern time
Presenter: Michael Fullan, professor emeritus, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada, and special advisor to the Minister of Education, Ontario, Canada

• Download handout (PDF)

This presentation is a unique opportunity for educators to hear current research on the drivers that can ensure successful, whole-system reform. The presenter will discuss what we know about bringing about successful change in practice by helping participants assess their current change situation and help identify their key change priorities. The session will place special emphasis on the role of technology as it relates to teaching and deep learning goals for students.

ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award 2013 Winners

 12:00–1:00 p.m. eastern time
Panel Discussion

• Download Josh Garcia's handout (PDF)
• Download Ryan Twentey's handout (PDF)

Hear about the ASCD Outstanding Young Educators Award (OYEA) and stories from the 2013 OYEA winners, Josh Garcia and Ryan Twentey. The OYEA program celebrates the next generation of teachers and administrators who demonstrate outstanding leadership. OYEA winners exemplify a passion for excellence in, educating the whole child; demonstrating leadership; improving student engagement, achievement, and learning; and contributing to the education profession. The panel members include

• Josh Garcia, 2013 ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award winner and deputy superintendent, Federal Way Public Schools, Tacoma, WA
• Ryan Twentey, 2013 ASCD Outstanding Young Educator Award winner and photography teacher, Parkville High School, Baltimore, MD

Turning High-Poverty Schools into High-Performing Schools

 2:00–3:00 p.m. eastern time
Presenters: William Parrett, ASCD author and director, Boise State University Center for School Improvement and Policy Studies, Boise, ID, and Kathleen Budge, ASCD author and coordinator, Boise State University Leadership Development Program, Boise, ID

• Download handout (PDF)

This session focuses on a research-based framework for leadership and learning in high-poverty schools. Recent case studies from high-performing/high-poverty (HP/HP) schools provide concrete insight into what it takes to make a dramatic turnaround. Practical study and planning tools are provided to guide improvement in participants' own school or district. Through better understanding of how HP/HP schools achieve success with underachieving students who live in poverty, participants will acquire specific strategies and identify action steps to best support these students.

Working Toward the Next Evolution for School Health

 4:00–5:00 p.m. eastern time
Panel Discussion

As the sectors of health and education align more closely, is it time for a new model or approach to structure how these entities can and should work together? Is it time for a new evolution for school health (and a new evolution of how education views health and wellbeing?). This session will host panel experts from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Coordinated School Health to discuss what changes are needed and why they are needed. Join us as we outline the next iteration of the Coordinated School Health and Health Promoting Schools models under a whole child framework ensuring that education and health not only work together but continuously strengthen each other. Panel members include 

• Diane Allensworth, special advisor, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Wayne Giles, director Division of Adult and Community Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Holly Hunt, branch chief, School Health Branch, Division of Population, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
• Lloyd Kolbe, professor emeritus of Applied Health Science, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN

To Close the "Opportunity Gap," We Need to Close the Vocabulary Gap - Bridging Differences - Education Week

To Close the "Opportunity Gap," We Need to Close the Vocabulary Gap - Bridging Differences - Education Week:

To Close the "Opportunity Gap," We Need to Close the Vocabulary Gap

by Deborah Meier

Today, Michael J. Petrilli, the executive vice president of the Thomas B. Fordham Institute, joins Deborah Meier. He will blog with her for the next month.
Dear Deborah,
Thanks for inviting me to join you on your blog. Even though we disagree on many issues, I have great respect for you and the work you've done in your career.
As I write this, I'm returning from the Education Writers Association annual conference, held this year at Stanford. I spoke on a panel about the "opportunity gap" with professors Sean Reardon and Prudence Carter. Reardon, as you know, recently published a fascinating but sobering study about the growing income achievement gap. (ASCD's Educational Leadership has an accessible version of the study available online.) And Carter co-edited