Jon Hage cashed in on the charter industry in a big way. And where else but Florida, where for-profit schools are welcome no matter what their quality.
EduShyster tells the story here of Jon Hage, a non-educator who is one of Florida’s most successful charter entrepreneurs.
“Have you ever encountered a story so sadly tragic that you were forced to break your own rule regarding pre-noon winebox decanting? I have… Hankies at the ready, reader, for we are *going there.* I’m talking about the super sad true tale of Charter Schools USA founder and CEO Jonathan Hage and his wrenching decision to part with his yacht: the aptly named Fishin’ 4 Schools. In other words, onto every teak deck a little salt water must spray. It’s time to don your stripes, reader; we’re goin’ fishin’.”
She says the boat has been listed for sale for $350,000. Just like your typical superintendent’s boat.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Diane, in Chicago the Sun-Times did an analysis of charters here, and there are the usual underwhelming results.
http://www.suntimes.com/26686762-761/a-push-for-charter-schools-but-little-difference-in-student-performance.html
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And here’s the Mayor of Chicago, dodging questions by announcing that the debate is over.
Also, he refers to schools as “brands” so I guess the debate on whether public schools and children are now commercial products is also over, because ed reformers have decreed that is is over.
Kids aren’t marketed to and used as consumers enough, right? We should turn their schools into marketplaces, too. God forbid they should go 6 hours without being treated as a “consumer” in their own neighborhoods.
http://politics.suntimes.com/article/chicago/emanuel-dodges-questions-about-charter-school-performance/mon-04072014-424pm
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http://www.politico.com/magazine/story/2014/04/kalamazoo-the-promise-save-american-cities-105366_Page4.html#.U0QwZ61dVH1
I thought this was interesting. It’s about the Kalamazoo promise, which was a radically different approach to improving PUBLIC schools.
I’d love to hear from someone who lives there. The part about public high schools in Michigan history is worth reading alone.
Also, how weird is it that Politico does the best in-depth reporting on public schools, with a view that isn’t narrowly structured along ed reform rules and regs on what’s worth talking about.
I don’t think I ever would have predicted that a political outlet would be the big outlier in creative ed reporting 🙂
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Have had nothing but positive experiences with Charter Schools USA!
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Dave, do you work for that low-performing for-profit charter chain?
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Love this. Thanks.
I was raised in Florida and got a double hoot from this sad tale, styled in the tradition of Molly Ivins’ writing about Texas.
“Hankies at the ready, reader, for we are *going there.* I’m talking about the super sad true tale of Charter Schools USA founder and CEO Jonathan Hage and his wrenching decision to part with his yacht: the aptly named Fishin’ 4 Schools. “
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