Peter Greene watched the debate and became outraged, as only he can.
So this is how it’s going to be. The GOP is going to have a cartoon discussion about education, focusing on how to use charters to dismantle public ed and on how to find wacky ways to pretend that we’re not havin’ that Common Core stuff. And the Democratic line on public ed? The Clinton campaign locked in on their line months ago– stick to the safe-and-easy topics of universal pre-K and accessible, cheaper-somehow college education.
That mantra is comfortable and easy. Plain folks can listen to it and hear, “Aww, more pre-school for those precious cute little kids, and a chance for young Americans to make something of themselves,” while corporate backers, thirsty hedge funders, and ambitious reformsters can hear, “Expanding markets! Ka-ching!!”
The unions made their endorsement early. Did that take education off the table as an issue?
Really? We don’t want to hear anything about the disastrous policies of the last twelve years that have systematically broken down and dismantled American public education and the teaching profession? Dang, but I could have sworn we wanted to hear about that. But I guess now that the union is on Team Clinton, our job is not to hold her feet to the fire so much as it is to give them a little massage and carry some baggage for her so that she can save her strength for other issues. Important issues. Issues that aren’t US public education.
Sanders, with his focus on how the rich have commandeered so many parts of our democratic society, is so close to making useful statements about the education debates, but it just doesn’t happen. And I’m not sure how somebody helps it happen at this point. And those other guys? Generic Candidates #3-5? I don’t know what they think about education, but I suppose now that the education vote is supposedly locked up by Clinton, they won’t feel the need to go there.
Bottom line– US public education, despite the assorted crises associated with it (both fictional and non-fictional) is shaping up to be a non-issue once again in Presidential politics. I would say always a bridesmaid, never a bride, but it’s more like always the person hired for a couple of hours to help direct the car parking in the field back behind the reception hall. Or maybe the person who cleans up the reception hall after the bridal party has danced off happily into the night.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Sadly, Greene has captured the essence of the situation, caused in part, by early endorsements from union management.
If teacher union managers have hopes of cabinet appointments, they should look at the employment records of prior candidates for cabinet positions.
If the odds are beat and one of them is confirmed, is it reasonable to expect the public or labor, to benefit?
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First of all, this is just the first debate. Secondly, people (like myself) see education as more of a state issue. I have infinitely more loathing for Governor Cuomo than Arne Duncan, because Cuomo, not Duncan, instituted the tax cap and “reforms” that are ruining education here in NY.
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Sanders, with his focus on how the rich have commandeered so many parts of our democratic society, is so close to making useful statements about the education debates, but it just doesn’t happen.”
Public education is like the Arquilian galaxy in Men in Black that the insect in the Edgar suit (played by Bill Gates in the movie) is trying to get because it is so powerful.
Is it really possible that Sanders does not see this?
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I dunno, I spent too many years wondering why Obama “didn’t see” or “didn’t get” so many things. Then I realized he did. I’m trying very hard not to make that mistake with Sanders.
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Excellent observations on a subject so important but so ignored at the same time.
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Sanders’ wife, Jane, is a former school board member. According to a recent article, “As first lady, she could see herself focusing in education, kids and issues about how the brain interacts with child development.” That is promising.
Full article about her involvement in his campaign here http://m.wapt.com/politics/sanders-wife-readies-for-the-national-stage/35803082
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I think we’re supposed to trust Hillary Clinton on public schools because people “know” her personally, which is ridiculous. I don’t know her, and why would I have to rely on what amount to personal testimonials as to what she’s “really” thinking, anyway? At some point she’ll have to say more than she’s for “great schools” and loves teachers, right, or are we just planning on relying on her motives and pure intent?
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NJEA’s president did NOT support the NEA endorsement.
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No NJ didn’t vote no..they abstained. Chicken.
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I never said NJ voted no. CA also abstained.
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Yes totaling close to 950 votes. I guess Lily didn’t want a narrow margin. Abstaining vs voting no is a joke.
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Bernie is what he is…there is no subterfuge…why should we try to read
Hillary’s mind? Let her, like Bernie, be open with her views. Will she continue
failed policy of Arne Duncan or not?
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I was at the Sanders rally in Boston and he said we should be hiring more teachers, not firing them and he got huge applause. Do wish we would hear much more from him on k-12 public education though.
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I have not heard one politician speak out AGAINST test score accountability. I don’t think we ever will. It’s an idea that, on the surface, seems logic and proper. Dig down a millimeter or two and it is as complex as it is unworkable. It simply cannot be a fair and accurate measure of teacher effectiveness. However, politicians rarely dig below surfaces; sound bites seem to suffice.
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“Charter Garter”
Public ed’s the garter
For Demo wedding party
A garter thrown to charter
For laughing that is hardy
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Agreed. We need to hear more about the specifics of each candidates views on public education
but
May it be said for the umpteenth time that there are a GREAT many issues which affects our students and not all are related to charters etc.
As educators it seems to me that we should look at ALL the issues of those running for office which affects our students.
We have talked about some: poverty most especially but for the future the climate change issue which Bernie made front and center is absolutely essential and he was the only one who made it the prime concern.
If that is not fixed, and now, our children will have very little if any future.
That is the near consensus of our best scientific minds and NOT just Bernie.
It is imperative that educators look at the totality of the issues affecting our students, the things which affect their education IF we are concerned about our students primarily.
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Perhaps teachers and others interested in pushing education back onto the forefront of the candidates minds could take a page from Black Lives Matter. Get in the candidates’ faces at every event and don’t stop until they address your concerns.
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#PublicSchoolMatters4Equity
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Republicans don’t care about public education. Hence the emphasis on charters. And on vouchers. And they love “accountability” – and punishment – except, of course, when it comes to their own performance and indiscretions.
Democrats still seem to believe what their corporate friends and funders tell them. They rely on advice from Lily Eskelsen Garcia, head of the NEA, and Randi Weingarten, head of the AFT. Bad idea. Very bad idea. The NEA and AFT both endorsed the Common Core. Clinton has said the Common Core “started off as a bipartisan effort. It was actually nonpartisan. It wasn’t politicized.” Say what?
It’s probably not comforting that at least one Clinton adviser is a long-time consultant to the College Board, and the author or co-author of a whole series of educational papers funded by the Gates Foundation. Interestingly, Gates and Hillary and Weingarten all follow each other on Twitter.
Meanwhile, some of the people – and educators – incensed about Common Core and corporate-style “reform” still participate in and promote ACT, Inc. and College Board testing and products.
Most of the pundits say Hillary “won” the debate last night.
If she did, I’m thinking that maybe Common Core won too.
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Education as a Right:
Abolish student debt to free a generation of Americans from debt servitude. Guarantee tuition-free, world-class public education from pre-school through university. End high stakes testing and public school privatization.
http://www.jill2016.com/plan
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I hate to say “I told you so”……. The Democrats (yes, even Bernie) are bought and sold! But after the primary when Bernie is gone, please have a plan B! Check out Jill Stein! She is the real deal. Demand that she is allowed to be in the general presidential debate. Sure, its a while away from now, but now is the time to start demanding a REAL democratic (small d) debate. You will be glad you did!
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