Seth Sandronsky and Michelle Renee Mattison try to understand the logic behind school closures? Is it low academic performance? Under-enrollment? Right sizing? Why are the closures concentrated in neighborhoods populated by Frican Americans and Hispanics? What is their record?
They write:
“Will there be a time when the term “school to prison pipeline” becomes “the home to prison pipeline” or the “home to military pipeline” because there are simply no more schools to speak of? If you interpret the public school closure epidemic sweeping U.S. cities as a deliberate attack on primarily poor black, Latino, and immigrant communities, then you already understand more than many politicians, judges, CEOs, and education policy apologists/analysts will concede.”
They ask the obvious question: Does it make sense?
“How can it be that we live in a political climate where school closure is accepted by many as a strategy for improving educational opportunities? (“Honey, they are going to teach the kids better by shutting lots of schools down.”) Can you imagine an argument whereby more hungry people will be fed if more grocery stores and restaurants are closed? How do we intervene in this nonsensical climate to keep our schools open?”
They note that the Eli Broad Foundation wrote the playbook on closing schools. It’s time, they say, to write our own to stop the relentless and destructive assault on public schools.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
What’s behind the school closure epidemic? Money, plain and simple. 49 schools were closed in Chicago in 2013 because of “underutilization”. There are already specific plans to open 20+ charter schools with another 30 generally in the works. Underutilization, my Aunt Fannie. The long and the short of it is that charter schools are easier to profit from, even if they are technically “non-profit” (talk about a word that needs to be retired as completely meaningless).
I’m sure plenty of other cities have very similar stories to tell.
And the connection with prison privatization is no coincidence.
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No, it is more than that. Eli Broad is a rabid racist and one assumes Walton and Gates are as well. For others involved, like Witless Tilton, you are right, it is about money—everything is about money to a lot of these reform minded people. We assume the wealthy are intelligent because of our skewed values, but there is a huge difference beteencunning and intelligence. Reformers are ignorant. Being illiterate is preferale to the kind of stupidity these folks are afflicted with. I doubt that they contemplate much beyond profit and outmanuevering laws and codes to maximize it. I will let up you speculate on the ramifications of a culture that tolerates their unrelenting interference in public concessions to Democracy (Schools, Justice, Elections, Protest and media for example)
Eli Broad is the architect ofeducation reform as we (http://www.latimes.com/local/la-me-lausd-board-seat-20140108,0,3635429.story#axzz2qClHhD2p)
we now know it.
He is also the reason we have not abided the Brown Act since it was passed into law. He instigated white flight, which also assured his fortune by way of tract housing. It is ironic that as American Architecture took a definitive dive so did politics and our progress as a Democracy. Thomas Jefferson, who has been wrongly maligned for his domestic partnership with Sally Haye by stupid knee jerk liberals without sense enough to see through the inherent fallacy of these outrageous claims, understood that where we live says a great deal about the integrity of our lives. American Architecture, like American Politics has never been perfect; however, we were once guided by the numinous visionaries who forged and fought for the American Melting Pot, once a global source for enlightened leadership . That too was never perfect, but there was a time when the purpose we had, though deeply conflicted, was about more than making money and oppressing others. I guess if Jefferson had anticipated the industrial revolution, we may not be quite so corrupt as an agricultural society. One thing is certain, Jeffeson would be appalled by what America is today. One look at the uniform row of tricky tacky boxes that are segregated, ugly evidence of Eli Broad’s foul influence on our value system and Jefferson would vomit. I want to vomit when I consider our horrible decline . Look at all the damage capitalism has caused us. We are living in a Brave New World where neo -liberalism is a veil for plutocracy, where philanthropy is really raping and pillaging of our children and ther future. These people are grooming our kids for a life as wage slaves, and now it is not just children of color they are targeting. This is every bit as evil as the machine tons of Hitler or Stalin. Broad, Gates, Walton and the rest of these shameless criminals have benefited from free enterprise, but they perverted the Horatio Alger story by cheating. They use eduspeak to disguise their crimes and biases, but make no mistake, Eli Broad has lead the reform movement and this man is a hater. They are enemies of Democracy and we must demand they are prosecuted .there is no bigger threat to this nation than the very citizens who have benefited the most from the ideas we cherish. These traitors have caused more harm to American society , hell the world, than every street gang, drug cartel and mafia combined. I would argue that there would be no crips or bloods if not for Eli Broad.
http://www.hemlockontherocks.com
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Is this a hate capitalist America rant?
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Wow, just wow.
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Perhaps poster Rene heats her water with wood and washes the laundry by hand.
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Great response, Dienne. So true, too. When will people wake up? Will it take ALL children going to jail, because of BAD education policies. YES, children end up in jail for the failures of our government.
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Untrue. Children end up in jail because of the failures of their parents.
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I assume we end up with a system of publically-funded private contractors who eventually squeeze out the “public option” due to their increasing political clout and capture of politicians.
I marvel a little at Arne Duncan’s completely cavalier dismissal of the threat to public education. He has such certainty! He seems to have settled on a completely arbitrary number of “10%” as to privatized schools, nation-wide It’s nonsense, though. Some of these cities have 40% charters, and they’re obviously moving aggressively into suburban and rural areas. They’ve abandoned the “failing schools” meme in suburban and rural areas, and substituted “choice” as a rationale. They had to do that because they couldn’t credibly claim stronger school systems were “failing”.
Is Duncan aware of some guarantee where we retain “90%” public schools? Isn’t it incredibly reckless to throw away a 150 year old system of universal public education and replace it with “markets”?
I think we’ll deeply regret it, if we allow this to happen.
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Aren’t there movements by officials in NC, MO, and IN to promote charter growth? How quickly public education could evaporate if teachers are simply forced out and replaced by temps. Now THAT will improve education.
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That is well underway, Deb.
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One of the “reforms” In Ohio was a bill to promote STEM charters. Tucked in there was a provision to allow the new STEM charters to hire teachers as independent contractors. The privatized schools wouldn’t even be creating an employee/employer legal relationship-that employee/employer legal relationship subjects the employer to some very basic “rules of the road” as far as how they can treat employees.
Forget “public employees”. This is one step past that. They’re angling to make teachers independent contractors, so they’re not “employees” at all. It’s a race to the bottom on wages for teachers, and it’s deliberate. Forget “union” job protections and due process. Employees as independent contractors have NO employee protections or process due them, at all.
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Some people, however, think being an “independent consultant” makes them sound “important”.
You really can’t put lipstick on a pig…
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Public supporters, like me, must come up with a plan, supporting kids, but not returning to the 18th century salvery based system of education. http://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html I said years ago, public weill fail and will deserve to fail w/o a plan of action that takes kids from where they are etc
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With almost every single public school teacher being a crypto communist, feeding off a capitalist wealth producing system while criticizing it, I don’t see why you expect any other result.
As currently philosophically constituted, the public school systems are ungrateful parasites, not public services.
The police protect life and property. The fire departments protect life and property. The law and roads permit commerce to thrive.
What do the public schools do? Bite, snarl, and tear the hand that feeds them. Do you want such economic ignoramuses and moral hypocrites teaching your children?
It is a fundamental failure of self-knowledge from bottom to top of the education system, and lack of self-knowledge is intrinsically self-destructive.
Wake up, please, to your childish anti capitalism. It is NOT too late to save the public education system, but it won’t be saved on your terms.
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Again, wow! You are disrespectful. You have no idea of sacrifices made. But I won’t waste time explaining to you. Deaf ears are a pointless anatomical feature, as is a closed mind.
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Chiara, when Diane asked the question, ” What’ s behind the closed school epidemic?” It’s much deeper than what people think. I’ve researched education for over 20 years. This agenda is spiraling out of control. Please read this article I recently published about the entire agenda. It may give insight to the problems we are facing now, especially with the re-authorization of ESEA and the push for equity. Hopefully many people will read this story, although long, but important.
http://www.newswithviews.com/Hoge/anita104.htm
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I have sent the Tribune and Sun-Times a copy of the Broad Foundation Toolkit and explained to them how this all worked and asked them to investigate the consultants who were brought in to supervise every aspect of the Chicago school closings. Nothing…..I sent Bruce Dold, editorial page editor of the Tribune a copy of the tool kit and explained how it worked and asked him why no one of the Tribune would report or comment on its use. Nothing……I then copied every major education reporter in the country and asked Bruce to send my message to the Tribune’s ombudsman.
IN fact, reality for the corporate newspapers is determined by what gets discussed at the Economic Club of Chicago, New York, or LA. What parents and teachers think does not matter.
Here in Chicago, The Economic Club wanted to learn about Education issues, so they brought in Wendy Kopp and Arne Duncan to talk and asked them questions. The President’s two best friends were there. Once again, Arne was made to look like the voice of reason when he was asked, “what is working?”
The people closest to the President don’t get their information from from newspapers, they get it at meetings like this to which editorial writers are always invited. The President’s best friend and a major bundler in town who is also our current Secretary of Commerce are heavily invested in the Noble Charter chain of Chicago.
Everyone needs to understand that editorial boards and the people closest to the President listen only to the people invited to these meetings, there is no other imput except from Shelden III who always aggressively represents what Bill Gates wants within the DOEd Department and lobbies for Gates on Education issues as he did when he lobbied De Blasio against hiring Superintendent Starr.
No input below the one percent represented at these meetings. What gets said is the gospel truth for editorial boards in these three cities.
I did not attend, but a close friend who has known Arne since he was three was invited by our school board President who is Arne’s closest friend, his high school basketball bro.
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“The President’s best friend and a major bundler in town who is also our current Secretary of Commerce are heavily invested in the Noble Charter chain of Chicago.”
But, curiously, their own children do not attend a Noble Charter school but rather a prestigious private school.
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Emmy, NONE of these people send their own children to a charter school. Remember, they are for OTHER PEOPLE’s CHILDREN.
Only the best for theirs–Sidwell Friends, U. of C. Lab School, etc.
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I’ve noticed, this, too, how vouchers always follow charters:
http://www.lohud.com/article/20140111/NEWS02/301110049/Deep-pockets-feed-push-education-tax-credit-New-York
Ed reformers no longer call them “vouchers” of course because vouchers poll poorly.
You know the only schools that DON’T get careful treatment and huge amounts of concern and support and care in systems run by ed reformers? Public schools. They’re the big losers in this. They’ve lovingly nurtured, promoted and funded charters, they’re sure to include careful consideration of private and religious schools because vouchers always follow charters, but there’s simply no consideration or concern for existing public schools.
Tell me again why I would hire one of these folks to run my public school system. It’s suicide for public schools. There’s no upside.
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Of course it doesn’t make common sense. They say public doesn’t work and they are right, however, they then open schools under the same philosophy, which also don’t work and many think a different name of a school will solve the problem.
The real issue is everyone wants to get away from low scoring kids and go to lake wobegon where eveyone is above average. Only problem is, there is no lake wobegon school. And above average is mathematically impossible.
The closing of public schools is because they are not working. They are not working because of the philosophy and testing fiasco thats put on them.
The real reason for continued closures is those supporting public schools have not pushed for an alternative that treats kids fairly and tells the truth about learning.
Here’s one though of many http://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2013/12/the-personal-map-to-success.html http://www.wholechildreform.com has our books that put it into perspective
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I taught in schools that were 70% Latino/Hispanic and as challenging as it was, I never gave up my goal to reach as many of these kids as possible. One victor out of hundreds was still one victory. But usually, the victories were more than one but never enough.
Studies show that teachers who leave the profession, on average, end up earning more money in the private sector. So why—even facing the risk of burn out and PTSD—do most teachers stay?
It’s called dedication. It’s called persistence. It’s called wanting to make a difference where it counts. It’s called discipline.
I taught for thirty years in schools [in one district] that were so dangerous we had our own six man/woman campus police force and a sheriff’s deputy who arrived each day to sit in his squad car on the mall where most of the kids ate lunch.
And most of the teachers I worked with who didn’t give up and leave for the private sector fought the daily battle to reach these hardest to reach kids who mostly lived in poverty in a barrio community ruled by street gang violence.
Once you close the public schools in these hardest to teach communities, those kids are robbed of their chance to have teachers who actually fight for them and care. That fight is not easy. Most of the teachers who stay and succeed [this success is not measured by gains in standardized test scores–it’s measured by getting kids to read the assignments; do the work; and ask for help because many of the kids don’t] are tough as nails and could stand toe to toe with most U.S. Marine Corps drill instructors.
I’ve read that the turn over rate in the private/Charter for profit schools that are replacing the pubic schools that are shut down is high.
But, for instance, I stayed with those kids for thirty years [without lowering my standards] and most of the teachers I worked with stayed too—we were tougher than nails and like Navy SEALS and U.S. Marines, we [the teachers] supported each other because we were all fighting the same fight and our enemy was ignorance, apathy and poverty. The only time the attrition rate of teachers climbed was when we weren’t getting the support we needed and the administrators were bullies who made improving test scores more important than the kids and teachers.
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The difference is in feeling a calling to lead, care, nurture, teach no matter the circumstance. These reformers simply care about efficiency (their definition) of spending tax dollars as they wish. They resent paying a living wage to teachers or anyone that doesn’t view the world as the do. It is difficult for them to understand the heart of a true teacher.
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It is racism at its worst and we must shout it to the media and all who will listen! Our most vulnerable children are being denied their educational rights.
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You are absolutely correct Here’s more details http://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2012_03_01_archive.html But what is your solution?
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“Racism”. . . the last shout of the morally confused.
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Eli Broad wrote the playbook on mean. When I heard him speak at a Los Angeles Times-sponsored conference on early literacy, he spent part of his time eviscerating teachers unions. I knew then that L.A. schoolteachers were in trouble. This, by the way. was about 2000, so he’s been at this a long time. Meanwhile the Times never has a negative word to say about him, always referring to him as “billionaire philanthropist Eli Broad”. He should stick to his art donations and leave education alone. He is a negative force in public education.
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Correct, but show me your plan for education
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To answer the question: money.
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Not a plan, beloved Missourian.
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No, no plan, just the fact, sir.
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I agree with most everything that Diane posted. The daunting task is HOW? How do we stop this machine? It’s going to take all of us.
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Is IS going to take you all, unless you learn the economics of reality.
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I recall learning so much from marching in Wisconsin.
1st, We must have a plan for the future. The first step in this plan is to design and implement in our schools an assessment system that provides info to teachers and is on a fair playing field. Here’s a sample of what I did from 95-98.
2nd we must show how that plan holds teachers accountable
3rd we must show how we respect the intelligence and abilities of all kids, with fair and usefull information
4th. We must show how we can take kids from where they are be they gifted of have other special needs or anywhere in between
A tough task but having a plan is the only way to stop the machine. Nothing else works. The spin on everything else, that IS selling is that we are out for our selves. I know better, but we have done a horrible job of getting the across how much we love kids
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ooops here’s a sample http://savingstudents-caplee.blogspot.com/2013/12/accountability-with-honor-and-yes-we.html
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A bill is about to be introduced in the New Jersey legislature that requires a local school board vote before a public school can be closed.
That is not a solution in places under Mayoral control like Chicago, where the school board is part of the problem. For situations like that, perhaps the legislation could instead require a vote by the residents of the school district?
If you live in New Jersey, please sign the petition in support of this legislation: http://action.saveourschoolsnj.org/p/dia/action3/common/public/?action_KEY=12633
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The Ann Arbor News reported today that the school board and its new Superintendent will be taking up the topic of “underutilization” of buildings at its next meeting. The Super will be recommending programs to increase utilization numbers and a little bit of fiddling with the school boundaries to also lift numbers. Eventually, a school will probably be closed, irritating everyone, parents, unions, students and teachers.
The underutilization arises apparently from the proliferation of private and charter schools in the city. Thousands of children are in them, not in the public schools. Why the movement to private, parochial, and charters?
I’m not sure, but it MIGHT be that the parents think the public schools lack something they think they can find elsewhere. In 3rd grade for my son it was intellectual challenge and an orderly classroom=ignorant and inexperienced teacher. Parents who have been through just one year like that might be forgiven for looking for other choices.
The public schools in this town have shot themselves in the foot by slowing becoming the second choice for parents who want true excellence and can afford it. As long as the public schools continue to seek monopoly before great teaching, parents will continue to create alternatives.
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“Underutilization” is only being used as the latest reason to close public schools, as those responsible (such as the CPS School Board & Schools Chief, for example) realize that we–parents & educators–have caught on to the false premise of “failing” schools based on AYPs (i.e., “standardized” test data {in quotes because tests NOT valid NOR reliable}–&, as passing %ages have risen {to be 100% THIS year, 2014!}, ALL schools will be “failing!”)
Insofar as this whole ball of wax, this has been in the works for 40+ years–it’s the ALEC playbook, the Broad plan. With that simple realization, it’s beyond time for pushback–and it’s got to be from parents and communities who will back their public schools. It CAN be done (look at Seattle, look at the Texas Moms).
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Lloyd Lofthouse – Since you are so dedicated to the job of teaching it should not be necessary for the taxpayers to pay you very much in the way of compensation. I work
far a private corporation to whom I have rather little dedication so they have to pay me fairly well to induce me to work for them.
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Jim,
Ahh, you are loyal to the money. We aren’t all built like you seem to be.
I already gave thirty years of my life to the public schools—to this country in the struggle to teach the kids who want to learn and those who do not want to learn.
You do not know me and I don’t think you have a right to suggest teachers should take less pay because of dedication.
I retired from teaching in 2005 but teaching wasn’t my entire life.
After high school, I also served my country as a U.S. Marine and fought in Vietnam. The military is also paid through taxes and military pay is also low compared to the private sector. Your suggestion suggests you think Americans who join out of patriotism should sacrifice their lives and health for less pay.
And for that low military pay in the service of my country, I have lived with a 30% combat related disability for the last 48 years.
Teachers have to pay rent and eat too. They can’t work for free.
After the Marines, I went to college on the GI Bill and then went into the private sector for a number of hears in middle management. Later, in my thirties, I left the private sector for teaching and often worked 60 to 100 hours a week for pay that was adequate but not a bribe to work because I didn’t care.
Having been in combat in a war zone and then teaching in American schools surrounded by a barrio dominated by violent street gangs, I can tell you it was safer and less stressful in Vietnam.
If you are the sort of person who needs to be bribed with more money to work a job they have no dedication for, you wouldn’t survive in most public classrooms long before you discovered the truth about education. Then I’m sure you would flee back to the private sector chasing more money.
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