The latest from Michigan, where Betsy DeVos is leading a campaign for vouchers:
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
News from For MI Kids, For Our Schools
***MEDIA ADVISORY***
March 15, 2022
Contact: Sam Inglot, 616-916-0574, sam@progressmichigan.org
New Coalition Forms to Stop DeVos Voucher Proposal
For MI Kids, For Our Schools launches campaign to oppose DeVos voucher effort to take hundreds of millions of dollars away from public schools
MICHIGAN – On Wednesday, March 16 at 1 p.m. EST, a coalition of organizations will announce the launch of the For MI Kids, For Our Schools ballot question committee (For MI Kids, for short) during a Zoom press call. For MI Kids is focused on defeating the DeVos-backed “Let MI Kids Learn” voucher proposal that would rip hundreds of millions of dollars away from public schools across Michigan.
The coalition that makes up For MI Kids includes: 482Forward, American Federation of Teachers Michigan, K-12 Alliance of Michigan, Michigan Association of School Boards, Michigan Association of Superintendents & Administrators, Michigan Education Association, Michigan Education Justice Coalition, Michigan Parent Teacher Association, and the Middle Cities Education Association.
WHO: For MI Kids, For Our Schools
Casandra Ulbrich, PhD, who serves as the president of the State Board of Education
Andrew Brodie, Superintendent, Flat Rock Community Schools and MASA Board President
Arlyssa Heard, a Detroit schools special education parent, 482Forward education organizer
Twanda Bailey, a retired educator from Detroit with 30 years of teaching experience
Owen Goslin, a Cheboygan schools parent
Rick Catherman, a retired educator from South Haven with 30 years of teaching experience
WHAT: Zoom Press Call
Members of the media are asked to RSVP in advance. Contact sam@progressmichigan.org if you run into any issues.
WHEN: Wednesday, March 16 @ 1 p.m. EST
WHY: For MI Kids, For Our Schools is a ballot committee opposing the Let MI Kids Learn voucher proposal because it would take hundreds of millions of dollars away from public schools, hurting every public school across Michigan during a historic teacher shortage. The coalition is made up of parents, educators, support staff, administrators, and community-minded folks who love our public schools and want to see them improve and thrive so every student can get a great education.
###
Diane Ravitch's blog 
Close the skies above Ukraine!
A plea to the delegates of the United Nations General Assembly
This Is What DeVos And Her EVIL Cult Have Unleashed On Ukraine.
Putin announces his coming purges:
|
“Any people, and particularly the Russian people, will always be able to tell apart the patriots from the scum and traitors and spit them out like a midge that accidentally flew into their mouths. I am convinced that this natural and necessary self-cleansing of society will only strengthen our country, our solidarity, cohesion and readiness to meet any challenge.” –Fascist dictator of Russia Vladimir Putin, today
Vouchers and charter schools are racism’s takeover of American education.
While the article, “Meet the Hidden Architect Behind America’s Racist Economics,” does not reference privatization, it informs us why we must fight back. (Institute for New Economic Thinking, 5-30-2018)
An internet search of DeVos Koch shows us the many ways that the two networks align.
Koch operations continue in Russia, helping Putin in his war against Ukraine and democracy.
Amway is open for business in Russia. Quite a few of the ultra right wing members of the GOP including some of the Christian right are still doing business in Russia. They admire Putin’s autocratic power including his racist and homophobic policies. https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/3/4/how-us-right-wing-views-putin-amid-russian-attack-on-ukraine
So SICK!
We need to UnKOCK and UnDeVOODOO.
Putin just sanctioned Hillary Clinton. Hillary thanked him for her lifetime achievement award.
The sanctions against Putin and his cronies have me thinking that we need an annual Education Ignoble Awards Ceremony. Ditsy DeVoid, former Secretary of the Department for Privatizing U.S. Education, formerly the USDE, would definitely be a contender. And the lifetime achievement award would definitely have to go to Master of the Universe Billy Grates. Perhaps we need some categories:
Most Meretricious Thinking Tanker
Most Ignorant State Legislator
Best Supporting Actor an Astroturf/Fake Parent Group
Distinction in Disinformative/Orwellian Costuming of Bad Education Ideas
Most Child-Abusive New Education Idea
CMO Huckster of the Year
The Ditzy DeVoid/Arne “Dunkin'” Duncan Memorial Award for Education Cluelessness
Worth Is Girth Oleaginous Oligarch of the Year
Sneakiest Backroom Deformer Powerplay
Most Failed Virtual School Fool
Other Ideas?
Most Detestable Testing Proponent
Numerologist of the Year Award for Educational “Data” Distortion
Best Supporting Bad Actor in an Astroturf/Fake Parent Group
I know what you’re thinking. The judging would be difficult what with the fierce competition in each category.
Whitewash Award for Most Jingoistic Nationalist Curriculum
I will pass that idea on to NPE
I suspect that these would get a lot of press, which in turn would raise the issues in the national consciousness.
Russians are very fond of Ohio politicians e.g. Jane Timken who has business interests there (suspended operations after public scrutiny). Vance (and his patron, Thiel) have ownership in Rumble (a platform perfect for use by Putin).