Hype, Spin, and Deception: The Reform Narrative

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1. Dona Witmer says:

   March 28, 2013 at 11:46 am

   Heads up on a county adjacent to Lancaster County PA–The York City School District is considering a plan to switch the entire district to charter schools.

   Charter schools remain option in York–Recovery team could present plan in May

   Published 9:17 AM EDT Mar 28, 2013

   The York City School District is considering a plan to switch the entire district to charter schools.

   Consultants surveyed York charter school parents, who gave near-failing grades to city schools.

   The recovery team is still figuring out how much the change would cost as the district tries to fill its multimillion dollar budget gap.

   However, district officials want parents to know charter schools are simply an option at this point.

   “I’m holding on to the fact that — identify the resources and let’s move forward,” said superintendent Deborah Wortham.

   The 20-member recovery team plans to present its full plan to the school board May 15.

   http://www.wgal.com/news/susquehanna-valley/york-adams/Charter-schools-remain-option-in-York/-/9704248/19502956/-/khvs9v/-/index.html

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2. Joe Nathan says:

   March 28, 2013 at 1:34 pm

   Here’s a column about some school districts, colleges and universities that are working together to help youngsters. Students who participate in these programs are more likely to not only enter, but graduate from some form of higher education. Students and their families also are able to save thousands, even tens of thousands of dollars.
   http://hometownsource.com/2013/03/28/new-high-schoolcollege-collaborations-are-win-win-win/

   This column will appear in a variety of Minnesota newspapers over the next week.

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3. el says:

   March 28, 2013 at 2:21 pm

   Diane, slightly off topic, but you may find this story of a charter conversion of a middle school in the San Diego area interesting.

   http://www.dailykos.com/story/2013/03/27/1197387/-Unwarranted-Demise-of-Mar-Vista-Middle-School

   It appears that despite being in Program Improvement for years due to subgroups, that this school is ranked right in the middle on the California API metrics, and is dismantling or has dismantled several innovative, strong programs because of the artificial application of test scores. I also suggest reading the comments on the article.

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4. JoJoFox says:

   March 28, 2013 at 9:22 pm

   I just read this article in The Huffington Post about public education in IOWA and Republican Governor Branstad who is not a radical Reformer. Instead of cutting funding and forcing charters, he is doubling down on education funding. His daughter is a teacher so he praises teachers and is trying to get salaries…improved!! Anyone know more about the political scene in IOWA and what it is like to teach there? .

   http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/27/terry-brandstad-iowa-education_n_2965551.html?utm_hp_ref=fb&src=sp&comm_ref=false#sb=2276349,b=facebook

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5. George Buzzetti says:

   March 28, 2013 at 10:35 pm

   What else would you expect from Duncan, Obama and friends and I am a “Real Democrat” who believes people not corporations are important. Obama was a privatizer in the Chicago Public Schools as was Michelle. Duncan lied to the State of California Legislature on AB 1381 to promote mayoral control. He stated that those who ran Chicago before Daley and Vallas took over in 1995 had put the Chicago Schools into $1.8 billion in debt. I have the pertinent 1994 financial pages and there was a surplus. Daley, Vallas, Duncan and Emmanuel are the debt manufacturers and attempted ruiners of public education.

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   • JoJoFox says:

     March 28, 2013 at 11:47 pm

     Take over…load ’em with debt…sell ‘um off and shut ’em down … Sounds like a Bain Capital scheme. Oh, so predictable.

     Reply
6. Lehrer says:

   March 30, 2013 at 8:03 pm

   I just read an article in our local rag praising DINO Dan Malloy’s push for charter schools. Arrrg!

   Reply