"A child's learning is the function more of the characteristics of his classmates than those of the teacher." James Coleman, 1972

Thursday, February 24, 2011

Corporate Full Court Press in Missouri: Teachers, Administrators, School Boards Fight Back

Corporate lobbyists, corporate foundation stooges, and ed industry bottom feeders are descending on state legislatures across America, trying to take advantage of shortfalls in public funds following the Heist of the Century by Wall Street banksters in 2008.

Bare-knuckled tactics abound, pushing cheap vouchers, cheap charters, and cheap teaching, all under the control of corporate boards, foundations, and the local crooks hired to implement these testing factories that further segregate, contain, and behaviorally sterilize urban children. 
But parents and educators are fighting back. It is time to say No and then, Hell NO.  Make your voices heard.  Let your legislators know you want good public school choice for all:

From the St. Louis Post-Dispatch:
Groups representing teachers, administrators and school boards lined up Wednesday to oppose a bill that would allow charter schools to be established statewide.

Opponents said that before Missouri permits more of the nontraditional public schools, officials should beef up oversight of the 51 existing charter schools, many of which fail to meet state standards.

At issue was a bill sponsored by Rep. Tishaura Jones, D-St. Louis. It would allow charter schools — which are currently confined to St. Louis and Kansas City — to be created anywhere in the state.

In addition, the bill would set up a new statewide commission to sponsor charters and trigger regular reviews resulting in closure if students failed to meet certain benchmarks.

Supporters of charter school expansion said the schools could be alternatives that are needed in other areas where public schools are foundering.

Noting that eight districts outside St. Louis and Kansas City are provisionally accredited, Cheri Shannon, executive director of the Missouri Charter Public Schools Association, said those children 'should not be condemned to a failing school."

About a quarter of children who attend public schools in St. Louis attend 21 charter schools. As a group, they have not performed any better on standardized tests than their peers in the city school system. . . .

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