Jersey Jazzman writes that the corporate reform movement had a good thing going until Trump was elected.
The Democratic reformers were able to link arms with the far right and even to enjoy the financial largesse of anti-labor, anti-public school financiers like the Walton family.
But now the alliance is broken. But is it shattered? After all, DeVos gave Eva’s schools $500,000. DeVos funds AEI. Mike Petrilli was #neverTrump but endorsed DeVos. Very confusing.
Diane Ravitch's blog 
It’s past time we had a real debate on whether or not the country wants to privatize public schools. This mushy nonsense about “agnostics” has reached the point where it’s deceptive. This “movement” goes further towards privatization every year. They’re still denying it and they’re all advocating policy that goes beyond Barry Goldwater’s wildest dreams.
Enough. Stop hiding the ball and allow a debate. Redefining “public” to mean “publicly funded” is avoiding a debate. “Public” has never meant “publicly funded” for K-12 schools and they know it.
Call a contractor a contractor and call a voucher a voucher. A charter is a contract. Charter schools are government contractors. That’s the language we’d be using if this were any other realm than ed reform.
Well stated! I hope the appointment of DeVos causes such a backlash that parents, teachers and social justice groups unite to fight back. Maybe an all out war is needed instead of the sneaky slow bleed under the Democrats. “Reformers” have tried to stay under the radar and out of middle class consciousness. They have manipulated behind the scenes buying representatives and media to keep the issue out of the public’s hands. Maybe DeVos’s appointment will shine a much needed light on the hypocrisy of “reform.” We have the research that shows “reform” has failed to deliver on empty promises and has been a waste of resources.
Looks like DeVos is in. Must be a proud day for ed reform. The US Department of Education is now opposed to public schools.
What a ridiculous situation. 4400 public employees ideologically opposed to public schools. They can take the 9% of funding they provide public schools and keep it. Put it into vouchers or direct it to charter schools. Good riddance.
Awful as she is, De Vos provides us with a potential opportunity to drive a wedge among so-called reformers, or at a minimum expose their gross hypocrisy.
“Progressive” reformers – how privatizing union busters can call themselves “progressives” is a topic for another discussion – must now decide if they are going to accept the tainted offerings of Trump and De Vos, forever proving the claim that they were closet racists (not just grossly patronizing) and privatizers all along, or distance themselves from the program.
If they cozy up to De Vos in order maintain access to taxpayer honey pots, then they will be made to own their collaboration with religious and explicitly segregated voucher schools. Either they do that, or they distance themselves somehow from the immense re-allocation of public money toward “Christian” academies and the like, which is clearly what De Vos’ is devoted to.
Given my distrust of the motives and integrity of so-called reformers, whatever their political label, I don’t think we’ll have to wait very long to see the “civil rights issue of our time” types pushing their snouts into the feeding trough, right next to the Deplorables. If nothing else, it’s going to be a lot harder for the naifs in ReformWorld to maintain their naivete.
So-called education reform has always been about smash-and-grab, previously tarted up by treacherous Democrats; now it’s going to be straight-up looting, without the pretense and bogus social justice rhetoric.
Ladies and gentlemen, please fasten your seat belts; it’s going to be a bumpy ride.
A bumpy ride indeed…
Thank you for your comments.
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Well stated. I hope it opens the eyes of a large segment of the public that will fight for transparent, accountable, democratic public schools.
I’m back after I have been working hard to get rid off of a bunch of problems with the Charter school and I have a great come back .
GOOD NEWS 👍
THANKS FOR YOUR SUPORT.
Jersey Jazzman has identified the very low bar for Secretary Education that continues with Devos, and also signals “a bumpy ride ahead. Politco noted that these Democrats sent letters of support for Devos. Hereis the short list and a sample sentence or two.
Eva Moskowitz, founder and CEO of Success Academy Charter Schools:
“I believe Betsy DeVos has the talent, commitment and leadership capacity to revitalize our public schools…”
Anthony Williams, former Mayor of Washington, D.C.:
“Betsy makes the education establishment nervous because she shakes up the status quo.”
State Senator Curt Thompson, Georgia:
“Leadership is often proven and tested when one stands up and challenges the status quo. …She wants what’s best for children as opposed to what pleases the status quo.”
Ann Duplessis, former Louisiana State Senator: “Betsy DeVos’ commitment to school choice options has helped transform the lives of hundreds of thousands of children, including those in my home state of Louisiana.”
State Representative John DeBerry, Tennessee:
“DeVos’ history of fighting for children against these special interest groups can inspire the kind of confidence needed for our nation’s education leaders to leave politics behind and put students first.”
Tom Watkins, former Michigan State Superintendent of Schools:
” Elections have consequences and President Trump has nominated Mrs. DeVos as his Education Secretary. I wish her well – to do otherwise is to wish ill on our children.”
State Representative Valencia Stovall, Georgia: “In order to ensure every child has a chance at succeeding, there should be an unorthodox perspective nationally, which is what I believe she will bring to the table.
Shanelle Jackson, former State Representative, Detroit: “As a Democrat, Betsy DeVos and I disagree on a number of issues but we agree on the importance of improving our education system and expanding options to low-income families.”
Jabar Shumate, former Oklahoma State Senator: “I support Betsy because she has demonstrated an ability to work with both Democrats and Republicans to find bipartisan solutions to challenges in our common education system.”
Doug Ross, former Michigan State Senator and former Assistant Secretary of Labor: “She feels a moral commitment to make sure low-income children have equal opportunity. Her commitment is real and genuine.”
Jason Childress, Public Affairs Director at Foley & Lardner, Former Executive Director of the Wisconsin State Senate Democratic Committee: Her “perspective will help her increase quality across the board for all students to prepare them for success in college and career.”
Also from Politico; Kevin Chavous, a founding Board Member and Executive Counsel to the Devos-funded American Federation for Children joined the board of directors for K12 Inc., for-profit on-line every thing. “I am honored to join forces with a corporation passionate in its mission to transform learning for students.” Chavous is a graduate of Wabash College where he was an NCAA District All-American in basketball. He also graduated from the Howard University School of Law, where he was President of his graduating class.
Thank you for the dishonor roll of DeVos backers and enablers…
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Laura,
The names I recognize on that list of Democrats supporting DeVos are voucher advocates.