Democrats for Education Reform--the voice of hedge fund managers who meddle in education despite their lack of any knowledge or experience–issued a statement congratulating Bernie Sanders for coming out in support of “public charter schools.”

Senator Sanders was interviewed on a radio talk show. He was asked about whether he supported vouchers and charters. He said he supports public education and opposes funding private schools. The host asked whether he supports “public charter schools,” and he answered “yes.”

You have to wonder whether Bernie understands that privately managed charters, which operate with no transparency or public accountability, and without democratic governance, call themselves “public charter schools.” In some states, charter legislation calls them “public charter schools,” even if they operate for profit.

Even though Bernie is a member of the Senate committee that oversees education, he doesn’t seem to be well informed about what charters are. He doesn’t realize that he just signed on to the favorite “reform” of ALEC, every Republican candidate, the Walton family, and every red-state governor (plus Cuomo of New York and Malloy of Connecticut), as well as Wall Street.

I wonder if Bernie knows that at least 90% of “public charter schools” are non-union, which is why Republicans and oligarchs love them.

Strange bedfellows indeed.

DFER said:

“MARCH 1ST, 2016
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DFER STATEMENT ON BERNIE SANDERS’ MOST RECENT STATEMENT ON CHARTER SCHOOLS
Shavar Jeffries Welcomes Senator Sanders’ Flip to “Yes” on Public Charters

“Yesterday, on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, Senator and Democratic presidential candidate Bernie Sanders flip-flopped on his prior position and clearly declared his support for public charter schools. In response, DFER President Shavar Jeffries released the following statement:

“We welcome Senator Sanders’ recognition that public charter schools can and do provide essential educational options for students, many of whom do not have other high-quality public options available. Secretary Clinton and Senator Sanders have now both changed their rhetoric in this campaign and joined President Obama in acknowledging that allowing students and families a choice empowers them to find the best opportunity that meets their unique needs. Flatly opposing high-performing public charters would send hundreds of thousands of students back into failing schools and prevent those public charters from helping to lift neighborhood schools by offering new — and proven — ways of educating our children that put results ahead of bureaucracy.”

Sanders Flips on Opposition to Charters

Senator Sanders at Newmarket, NH Town Hall on January 3rd:

“I’m not in favor of privately-run charter schools. If we are going to have a strong democracy and be competitive globally, we need the best educated people in the world. And I believe in public education. I went to public schools my whole life. I think rather than give tax breaks to billionaires, I think we invest in teachers and we invest in public education.”
Sanders Flops Back in Favor of Charters

David Gergen said on CNN tonight that young people voted for Bernie Sanders because Hillary criticized charter schools. Yes, he actually said that, on the Erin Burnett show. He said that young people like charter schools, and they were angry that Hillary opposes charter schools.

To begin with, there is no evidence whatever that young people want charter schools. If they are old enough to vote, they aren’t in school, and very few went to a charter school.

But it makes no sense to say that young people voted for Bernie because Hillary doesn’t support charter schools. Bernie has come out in opposition to charter schools. Is that why young people voted for him? Hillary made a 30-word statement that accurately stated that some charter schools don’t serve all kinds of children; her top aide for education “walked back” the statement and insisted that Hillary does support charter schools.

Will we have to endure this kind of nonsense from now until November?