With half the vote counted, Georgia voters are likely to pass an amendment to the state constitution re charters. The governor will be able to create a commission to approve charters, giving charters a way to bypass local school boards.
Since the governor is a strong advocate of charters, his commission will likely be a rubber stamp for charter proposals.
This idea to gut local control is an ALEC priority.
Since all money for charters is deducted from public schools, the latter can anticipate layoffs and budget cuts.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It appears the GOP will have a super-majority in the TN legislature. No doubt that will lead to more reformy-friendly policies.
Looks like Washington state’s is passing, too; though by a narrow margin.
Not feeling good here in GA. I want my kids to enjoy attending their neighborhood school. My teacher friend spent this teacher workday filling out a very long and detailed self evaluation as the beginning of a new evaluation process provided by “talent” (previously known as human resources). She and her colleagues are expected to get less but give more. Student test scores won’t be a part of the eval this year but will be added in next year or two, they say. Put the screws to the teachers, but let the privatizers and profiteers run wild. Will the charter folks be evaluated by these same measures? Of course not.
What’s Wrong with Kansas ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/What%27s_the_Matter_with_Kansas%3F ) should be required reading for all voters. Frank makes the argument that people vote against their own self interest and explains why. This is so unfortunate. I feel for Georgians tonight.
Anyway, when you get a chance you mentioned putting together a bookshelf of must read books. I know you’re busy and will be over the next week or so, but I am curious and would like to know if you still intend to do so. I’m hoping for snow and some time to read.
Sadly it passed…
http://results.enr.clarityelections.com/GA/42277/110123/en/summary.html
Scroll to Bottom.
Looks like Washington State 1240 is going to pass, as well.
I usually agree with you Diane, and admire your courage, however, you may want to revisit your strong opposition to charter schools. Schools are horrible in GA, and charters are in fact, the best example of local control – extreme local control as in, community control. President Obama is a BIG charter proponent, so you will have to learn to embrace the concept – but always keep a watchful eye on possible corruption just as you do in other areas of education. NO system is without some abuse.
For a great perspective, read a posting by our local GA school board rep, Nancy Jester:
http://www.nancyjester.com/CharterSchoolAmendmentMyths.aspx
And then read the mathematical report conducted by a GA Tech professor concluding that public charter schools do not harm funding for public traditional schools and in fact, if the school system responds appropriately, the traditional schools can in fact enjoy an increase in per student funding.
http://www.georgiapolicy.org/do-charter-schools-hurt-students-in-traditional-schools/
“If the school or district’s ability to adjust and reduce expenses is greater than the loss of revenue, the system will actually gain financially when a child leaves. Just as schools and systems adjust when a child moves out of the district, they can also adjust when a child moves to a public charter school.”
If you care about public education, you will need to do some more research. Charter schools are no more innovative and no more successful in getting test scores up than public schools.
Parents have less control of corporate charter schools than they do of public schools.
Charter schools are known for pushing out or excluding students with disabilities, students with special needs, and students with behavioral problems.
They are also known for being more segregated than the surrounding district (see the reports of the UCLA Civil Rights Project).
And one other big difference: the scale of corruption in charter schools is far beyond anything in public schools because of the lack of oversight.
Go check out a website called “charter school scandals.”
Good luck.
I already can’t get pencils for my classroom. After the budget is gutted to run these charters, I’ll probably have to supply my own lighting.
Education is not the goal. It is turning out more graduates at a lower cost per unit. Just don’t ask them to read their diploma out loud.
Joe: I fear you may have hit that nail right on the head!