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Charter Corruption and Chaos
AlterNet published another story on the origins of school choice in Florida. The story begins with Jeb Bush’s term as governor. What may have been intended to dramatically improve schools only turned out to be dramatic in the number of reports of corruption and chaos. The article ties together the power brokers and the growth of for-profit charter schools.
It is a money and politics tale. You can read it here: How Jeb Bush’s Florida Plan School ‘Choice’ Created Industry Corruption and Chaos. You will find reports about the League of Women Vote’s study including data from Sue Legg and Pat Hall (LWV Hillsborough).
The Competition Next Door
By Margery Marcus, LWV Broward County
The local Broward League interviewed the principal of Pinewood School. Their story is one most districts must consider. How do you balance student needs, financial support, and school choice in a diverse district. School grades reflect the socio-economic backgrounds of students. Remove a large group of higher income families, and a school’s grade goes down. Create a magnet program in a low income school, the grade goes up. Perhaps even more important, maintaining a reasonable balance of students from different backgrounds allows a culture of possibility and achievement to flourish. Without a view into a larger world, schools get mired in defeat.
The League will continue to watch Pinewood in the hope that the district will not abandon it. There is support coming for the school.
School Choice Climate of Corruption
Jeff Bryant has done it again. In today’s AlterNet, he writes about How Jeb Bush’s Florida Plan for School Choice Created an Industry of Corruption and Chaos. Bryant quotes Rosemarie Jensen, from United OptOut and Nan Rich, former State Senator whose views on charters have changed as they watched the consequences of school choice in Florida. As early as two years after Governor Bush launched school choice, it became clear that money, not improving education was the driving force in Florida.
Much of the profits in charter schools derive from real estate dealings. Charter management companies have their own companies. They build or purchase facilities and lease them to charter school boards, often at exorbitant rates. Bryant summarizes reports of corruption and abuse that has ensued. The case in Broward County quotes League studies of rapid expansion at the cost of traditional public education.
This is a comprehensive article that underscores the problems associated with inadequate planning and oversight of charters. The Senate Education Committee is planning hearings. They need to hear from you.
Facts to Counter Bias Against Teaching Profession
Some groups are making teachers into scapegoats to justify opposition to unions, taxes, or facing problems in low income neighborhood schools. In a 20014 speech, U.S. Secretary of Education Duncan claimed that academically, our teachers were in the bottom third of their college class. He argues that new teachers are underprepared, and low-income students get short changed. Somehow better qualified teachers would improve our ranking on international tests.
A New York Times article by Daniel Willingham Teachers Aren’t Dumb takes a different view and gives facts to back it up.
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- Education Team at the Department of Education
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