Archives for category: Washington State
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The Charter Referendum in Washington State

By dianeravitch
September 23, 2012 //
26

Here is a list of organizations that have spoken out for and against the referendum on the ballot to permit charter schools and a “parent trigger” to create even more charter schools in Washington State.

Look at the list and see if you can tell which one has grassroots support from parents and teachers.

Earlier posts have described how this ballot proposal was funded by some of the richest men in the state, not public school parents. The voters in Washington have turned down charters three times previously. Some people never take no for an answer. Let’s see what happens in November.

Categories Charter Schools, Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Washington State

A Hero of Public Education in Washington State

By dianeravitch
September 10, 2012 //
4

State Representative Marci Maxwell is a hero who joins our honor roll for bravely standing up for public education.

She  wrote an article in which she urged voters to reject an initiative to authorize charter schools in Washington State.

She pointed out that the state’s voters have turned down charters three times previously.

Bill Gates and other billionaires and entrepreneurs are funding this effort topet voters to approve charters.

In other states, legislatures have approved charter legislation without going to the voters. Some have used ALEC model legislation, others have been influenced by campaign contributions. But it’s rare that voters have a chance to express their views about creating a dual system of schools dividing a limited amount of public funds.

Thank you, Rep. Maxwell, for helping to educate the public.

Categories Charter Schools, Education Reform, Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Honor Roll, Washington State

Elect This Man in Washington State

By dianeravitch
August 26, 2012 //
3

We who are concerned about the galloping trend towards privatization of public education often complain about the lack of public officials who pay attention or care about what happens to one of our essential public institutions.

I just found one.

He is running for office in Washington State. He is campaigning against the billionaire-funded charter initiative.

He demonstrates not only that the initiative is bad public policy but it is unconstitutional.

His name is David Spring.

Read his website.

Categories Charter Schools, Education Reform, Stand for Children, Washington State

About that Washington State Referendum

By dianeravitch
August 17, 2012 //
7

A reader (who is not a teacher) describes the setting for the referendum this fall in Washington State that would introduce charter schools and a parent trigger into the state for the first time. An earlier post pointed out that the referendum–known as I-1240–is funded by Bill Gates and other super-rich high-tech entrepreneurs.

We’ll speak loudly and often. I promise. This is just the beginning.

BUT, we also need our teachers to stop being so quiet, so defensive, so intimidated. It’s a self-fullfilling prophecy when that happens. 

The I-1240 folks are the ones who need to be on the defensive! The Privatizers are the ones who are afraid to say anything in public, knowing that the truth will sink their ship. The billionaire funders—NONE of whom have children in public schools—think they can fund these ersatz “education” groups like LEV, DFER, SFC, SF…(they’re ALL vile and funded by the same fronts)—and then sit back and just pull the puppet strings.

Do the 1% know best? Should the people who never have to choose between mortgage payments and utility bills be telling US what is best for our schools and our children?

This is NOT a battle between “reformers” and the “status quo”. Nor is it a battle between “teachers unions” and “taxpayers”.

It IS a battle between Citizens (both parents and non-parents) and Privatizers. Citizens want free and universal education for all children; privatizers want “charter” schools for some and “public” schools for everyone else who they deem “unworthy”. But the one thing all schools will have in common, if the Privatizers succeed with their awful plans—is private ownership and management, with fat profits, coming directly out of our education dollars.

Categories Charter Schools, Corporate Reformers, Education Reform, Gates Foundation, Bill Gates, Washington State

Who Did Thomas Friedman Talk to in Seattle?

By dianeravitch
May 29, 2012 //
2

In Sunday’s New York Times, celebrated columnist Thomas Friedman wrote that he had “a recent discussion in Seattle with a group of educators.” One of them surprised him by saying that “even though their state did not win President Obama’ education ‘Race to the Top,’ that program was critical in spurring educational reform in Washington State.” This persuaded Friedman that Obama is not doing enough to call attention to his successful policies.

I found myself wondering which group of educators he met with. Perhaps it was educators who work for the Gates Foundation?

I was in Seattle twice this past year. Last November, I spoke to the Washington State School Directors Association (the state’s school boards), the Washington Education Association, and the Seattle Education Association. I had small group meetings with teachers, administrators and school board members. No one–not one person–said what Friedman heard.

I wish he had been more specific in describing what happened in Washington state because of Race to the Top.

Does Friedman know that Washington State is one of the few states that has consistently opposed charters?

I wish he had been with me when I spoke to Washington educators. Something tells me they were not teachers or administrators or school board members.

Diane

Categories Washington State
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