The Network for Public Education has issued a BIG MONEY ALERT about efforts to swamp state and local school board races with outsize campaign contributions.
The ALERT focuses on a handful of races where corporate reformers are using their vast financial resources to win control. Many of the biggest donors are out-of-state and have no ties to the public schools other than a desire to promote charter schools, high-stakes testing, and test-based evaluations of teachers.
The race for state school superintendent in California has attracted the most corporate reform money. Marshall Tuck is the favorite of the billionaires and hedge fund managers. State superintendent Tom Torlakson is an educator with solid support among the state’s teachers and administrators. Torlakson is supported by teachers and their unions.
Tuck is the darling of the corporate ed-reform donors, having received such contributions as:
Eli Broad’s donation of $1,375,000;
Walton daughters and heirs, Alice and Carrie with $450,000 and $500,000 respectively;
Julian Robertson of the Robertson Foundation with $1,000,000;
Doris Fisher of the Donald and Doris Fisher Fund with $950,000;
Ex NYC mayor Michael Bloomberg contributed $250,000;
Houston billionaire and DFER friend John Arnold;
San Francisco venture capitalist and TFA Board member Arthur Rock.
If you know of other races where the big corporate money people are tilting the scales, please contact Robin Hiller, executive director of the Network for Public Education rhiller@voicesforeducation.org, or leave a comment here.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
CROSS-POSTED AT:
http://www.opednews.com/Quicklink/Big-Money-Who-Is-Trying-t-in-Best_Web_OpEds-Control_Diane-Ravitch_Donors_Education-141103-861.html
WITH THIS COMMENT:
“The plutocrats KNOW, that public education means an educated citizenry who will detect lies, and know science and history. They will not elect liars.
“Make no mistake about it, these wealthy barons are not merely enriching their bottom line because the own the publishing ousel and tech suppliers to the schools, they want to end our democracy by closing the road to opportunity.
“THIS IS NOT ABOUT SCHOOLS… THIS IS ABOUT OUR DEMOCRACY.
GET ACTIVE… PASS ON THE POSTS TO YOUR CONTACTS… LET OTHERS KNOW HOW OUR SCHOOLS, LIKE OUR MEDIA ARE BEING BOUGHT!
Submitted on Monday, Nov 3, 2014 at 9:56:27 AM
You are absolutely RIGHT, Susan.
A great effort. Problem: The money is often “dark” not that easy to trace.
Vanguard et al’s charitable 501(c)(3)’s for clients, allows anonymity. It’s a perfect accompaniment to the $4.29 billion, the financial services industry spends on politics. The financial sector spends more than energy, communication, agribusiness, defense and pharma, but worst, the industry drags down GDP.
Tom Staszewski | author of Total Teaching…Your Passion Makes it Happen,
published by Rowman & Littlefield.
Tom can be contacted at 814-452-0020 or tomstasz@neo.rr.com
“Tom Staszewski tomstasz@neo.rr.com 814-452-0020
In this era of
policy change and educational reform at the K-12 level, suddenly “everybody” has
become an expert on our school systems. In my opinion, there is a great amount
of unjustified criticism that is unfairly being leveled against our schools and
our teachers. Most of the criticism is unfounded, baseless, undeserved and
distorted. Many critics of our school systems have never set foot in a classroom
to see what’s going on –other than their own experience as a former
student–and their criticism is erroneous and counterproductive. If they
(critics) would take the time to better understand just how hard the teaching
profession really is, they would change their criticism to face the reality of
today’s schools and society at large. I believe that most critics would find it
difficult to even make it through even one day in the life of a typical teacher.
The essence behind the book is that today’s teachers are under a lot of pressure
and scrutiny and there is a need for more support, recognition and appreciation
for the good that they are providing for society. So the point of my book is to
inform the uninformed about how difficult it is to teach in many of today’s
schools. And to provide recognition to educators and to thank teachers for the
positive difference they are making in society. I’ve always said that our
schools are a reflection of society and society at large has changed and
undergone a dramatic shift from previous generations. The book also focuses on
the success stories and “what’s right” with our schools rather than “what’s
wrong” with our schools. Unlike previous generations…in many homes today,
whether it be a single parent household or with both parents home…many parents
send their kids to school unfed, unprepared and with little or no basic skills
and often with no social skills, etc. In my previous work as a motivational
speaker and professional development trainer, I have personally worked with
thousands and thousands of teachers statewide and nationwide and I have found
them to be hard-working, dedicated, industrious and committed to the success of
their students. It’s about time that someone has taken a stand to recognize and
acknowledge the value to society that teachers are providing and to thank them
for their dedication. What is the theme of the book? In addition to thanking and
recognizing the good that teachers provide to society, the book is also a
handbook that can be used by the teacher as a means of providing coping skills
and methods to succeed in the classroom with the trials and tribulations of
teaching. It provides a means of offering tips, strategies and techniques to
make it through the day and to have a successful school year. In many respects
it is a personal growth and development type handbook. From the first-year
teacher to the most experienced veteran, this book provides an inspiring message
that yes, indeed…teaching is the most noble profession. It serves as an
acknowledgement of the importance of teachers and recognizes that “teaching is
the profession that has created all other professions.” This book provides
real-life tools, tips and strategies to have a successful school year and to
persevere beyond all of the challenges associated with the profession. Filled
with insightful and meaningful stories and examples, it will provide a pep talk
to help teachers stay focused. Readers are able to maintain the passion that
brought them into the profession and to develop a plan to be the best that they
can be. ”
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the-posts-endorsements-for-dc-state-board-of-education/2014/10/28/8f4d47ec-5e32-11e4-91f7-5d89b5e8c251_story.html
Also happening in Washington DC: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/answer-sheet/wp/2014/10/15/campbell-brown-wendy-kopp-donate-to-d-c-school-board-candidate/
Florida Federation for Children who gets money from American Federation for Children and other Pro-Voucher Pro-Charter School groups took out the President and President-Elect of the Florida School Boards Assn. because FSBA filed a lawsuit to block expansion of the state’s voucher programs. They also are involved in other school board races around the state. They own the Legislature and are now turning their attention to school boards. If public school board members aren’t supporting public schools, who will be left to speak up for public schools?