We previously posted Joanne Barkan’s stunning article about the way our plutocrat philanthropists are undermining democracy.
In this post, EduShyster interviews Barkan about her central theme of plutocrats-gone-wild.
An excerpt. EduShyster asks whether the billionaires–surrounded by sycophants– understand that they are not getting much ROI [return on investment] from their failed ventures, and Barkan responds:
Once upon a time these mega-foundations would set a goal and then seek out experts to do independent research to help them figure out how to achieve it. But that’s really fallen by the wayside. Today the foundations start with a preconceived notion about the social problem and its solution. And they fund researchers who are likely to design studies that will support their ideas. It’s very much as though a big philanthropist who has never been to the ballet decides to back a ballet company and says you can have all of this money—it will save your company. But there are a few rules: you can only perform Swan Lake, the orchestra can only play violins and all of your dancer have to be below 5’5”. None of this makes any sense but the “study” that the philanthropist is also funding will show that it’s a success.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
This is true. A mentor of mine couldn’t find any common ground with the Gates Foundation. So, no money for research. This is a person who has received many large $$$ research grants. It is a waste of time, time, talent and tax dollars (by way of the charitable deduction) to turn our scholars into the handmaidens of technocrats. These guys aren’t interested in a “marketplace of ideas”. For the most part, they just want to prove what they think they already know.
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“Today the foundations start with a preconceived notion about the social problem and its solution. And they fund researchers who are likely to design studies that will support their ideas.”
Researchers like Rick Hess who make the false argument claiming teachers haven’t “earned” their place to be heard about education reform. Articles like this make my blood boil. How dare he…
http://blogs.edweek.org/edweek/rick_hess_straight_up/2013/10/seizing_opportunity_from_crisis.html?cmp=ENL-EU-VIEWS2
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They have adopted for use on their own countrymen, the methods of the military , and we know how well those have worked.
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They are planned stupidity and theft at the same time. Just like Gates after 10 years and a billion under Van der Ark who was before Deasy. Well, that failed so now we just shut it down, don’t tell anyone it was a loser and failure and go right to the unresearched terminate teachers for TFA so we can pull off another game as after all you only need to have 5 weeks of mickey mouse training to become an expert and they only need to stay 2 years to pay off their school loans so they are now ready for us without debt paid for by the succors in the public. That is our training ground and debt eliminating department before we put them to real use for us not you.
That is their ATTITUDE.
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George, come on, don’t be a nay-sayer, hater. The plutocrats earned their place at the table of edu-reform. They deserve the unilateral right to destroy lives & dismantle our public school system.
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‘plutocrats’ – big time capitalists’- are in the schooling ‘game’ as a long term investment( think about warren buffertt’s investment strategy). they will up the ante regardless of the findings of legitimate – valid- research. as necessary, they will publish their own sef serving research. there ifs far too munch money at stake over the long haul for them to bail out in the short haul.
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What the readers do not know is that the plutocrats also have other countries on the radar. The former prime minister Gordon Brown annointed himself a “special emisary” to the UN on education matters. He promised that big and failing countries like Nigeria will get US$17 billion from the likes of Master Card foundation or Exxon foundation. The governments are just expected to develop certain plans to the liking of these companies!
Now these are not the cleanest governments on earth. So what will these companies get in exchange of education funds? 100 more million of master card holders? oil price concessions? With philanthropy the sky is the limit!
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Fake local groups are not formed just in the US. The World Bank and other corporate interests have created them in all low-income countries. They are called “local education groups”, and they are anything but local ! They consist of expatriates who represent various donor agencies. They meet regularly and basically complain about government inefficiencies. Rarely does one see a local non-profit. These “locals” have various agendas they promote with governments.
And this is not all. There is also a set of local folks paid to do this. The World Bank through a puppet internal agency (caled the Global Partnership for Education) has spent at least $12 million to hire local people who show up in various meetings and “advocate” in favor of education.
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Sorry, JCgrim, I got carried away I forgot they are really good people just misguided and never thought about the billions they can steal. So, now let’s go get them. I just love your sarcasm. You have to do that to survive in this jungle.
Tonight, LAUSD Board Member Steve Zimmer had his first Title 1 meeting with the public at Venice High School. It was excellent. This is the beginning of a process to reinstate parents in Title 1 decision making and ability to effect that federal money and programs. Through training is very important. It is possible that there will be another meeting in about two weeks. CORE-CA and the California Title 1 Parent Union thank both Rick Selan for his leadership on this issue, Board Member Steve Zimmer for being there for students and parents and the principal and staff of Venice High School for having us at their school on this very important issue nationwide. We will continue to keep you informed. If you are also having Title 1 or other problems see if you have a board member willing to listen and see if you can also do this.
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