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yurbud

(39,405 posts)
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 11:18 AM Jan 2017

Does opposition to Betsy DeVos mean Dems are going to stop supporting privatization of public ed?

While Democratic politicians have opposed vouchers, they have gone along with most of the rest of that agenda driven by hedge fund managers, and some wealthy individuals and their foundations.

If they are doing a 180 on this, I applaud and support them.

It wouldn't hurt to explicitly say that their past support of that agenda was wrong, and they are firmly on the side of PUBLIC public education, driven by the needs of students and the best academic research on what helps them (NOT from foundations selling something).

This could energize educators in some of the states Hillary barely lost, who then might help to take back the statehouses and governor's mansions lost to the GOP by echoing their privatization agenda.

21 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
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Does opposition to Betsy DeVos mean Dems are going to stop supporting privatization of public ed? (Original Post) yurbud Jan 2017 OP
Excellent question. SamKnause Jan 2017 #1
one of several issues where the party needs to change course to survive yurbud Jan 2017 #2
I really really wish they needed 60 votes yeoman6987 Jan 2017 #3
Some DU'ers need to face reality that many Democrats support Charter Schools. They are NOT KittyWampus Jan 2017 #4
Jerry Brown supported two charter schools when he was Mayor in Oakland still_one Jan 2017 #5
It seems the best of the examples are in blue states and the worst in Republican controlled states KittyWampus Jan 2017 #9
I agree NewJeffCT Jan 2017 #17
Do you think that is good or bad? I agree with him on some issues not on others yurbud Jan 2017 #20
not sure. I need to understand if money is actually being taken away from public schools because of still_one Jan 2017 #21
++++++++ JHan Jan 2017 #7
They aren't regulated because some are for profit and others exist at the whim of wealthy donors yurbud Jan 2017 #12
Unfortunately probably not all of them...but DeVos is unqualified for the position Freethinker65 Jan 2017 #6
It's not a one size fits all issue. NCTraveler Jan 2017 #8
when you bring in private contractors, they have a built in incentive to give less service, so they yurbud Jan 2017 #13
Don't count on it martigras Jan 2017 #10
Rahm is the Pol Pot of K-12 education yurbud Jan 2017 #14
Dude ismnotwasm Jan 2017 #16
You're right. Pol Pot was an ideologue. Rahm is just in it for the money. yurbud Jan 2017 #18
I'd say that there is a distinction to be made about DeVos and what Democrats support Proud Liberal Dem Jan 2017 #11
privatization to Wall Street sociopaths is bad enough. And school closures and other policies yurbud Jan 2017 #15
Also, do you mean Democratic politicians or Democratic voters? There is a big difference between yurbud Jan 2017 #19
 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
4. Some DU'ers need to face reality that many Democrats support Charter Schools. They are NOT
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 11:23 AM
Jan 2017

all the same. Not all Charter Schools are bad. This has been explained many, many times but some DU'ers refuse to listen to the REALITY of the situation. It's sad really.

The problem isn't Charter Schools and vouchers in general. It's Charter Schools that aren't regulated. That don't have requirements to accept disabled/differently abled children.

 

KittyWampus

(55,894 posts)
9. It seems the best of the examples are in blue states and the worst in Republican controlled states
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 11:37 AM
Jan 2017

where Charter Schools are just excuses for Republican cronies to suck money out of the public well without delivering a decent institution.

It's like the Supreme Court. When Dems appoint, they'll put thoughtful people there who will uphold precedents.

Republicans go for extremist right-wingers.

But we don't want to get rid of the Supreme Court. The Institution isn't the problem. It's the extremists on the Right abusing the system.

NewJeffCT

(56,827 posts)
17. I agree
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 08:54 PM
Jan 2017

if they're regulated properly, charter schools can be good. But, in red states, they're usually there for the wealthy to get tax breaks.

still_one

(91,945 posts)
21. not sure. I need to understand if money is actually being taken away from public schools because of
Tue Jan 24, 2017, 04:09 PM
Jan 2017

this, what regulations these charter schools are exempt from, if any child can attend, regardless of means, etc.

I am a strong advocate of public schools. Public schools must accept everyone in their district. I need to understand if the same rules apply to these charter schools

I am very much opposed to a voucher system for private schools, but as I said I need to understand what Jerry Brown endorsed.

I was just reporting what transpired here in Oakland when Jerry Brown was Mayor

yurbud

(39,405 posts)
12. They aren't regulated because some are for profit and others exist at the whim of wealthy donors
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 04:08 PM
Jan 2017

both of which can use cash to persuade legislators not to regulate them.

That they aren't held to the same standards of accountability as regular schools tells you there's corruption at the heart of the policy.

The whole privatization movement is also a front for union busting.

Teachers are not stupid.

When someone is trying to screw them and their students to make a buck, they notice.

Democrats have to stop defend prior bad acts and get their shit together fast.

Freethinker65

(9,929 posts)
6. Unfortunately probably not all of them...but DeVos is unqualified for the position
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 11:33 AM
Jan 2017

Her confirmation vote has been delayed. The reason stated is that she decided after all to fill out the conflict of interest paperwork. I believe the real reason is that she showed herself to be incompetent during her confirmation hearing. The GOP needs time to twist some arms for confirmation votes, or ask her to withdraw or her own if they can see she is a lost cause.

Honestly, she is well known for bankrolling the GOP. She is well regarded for her money, but not much else. She should have been offered an ambassadorship, not a cabinet position for which she has no qualifications.

Whoever Trump gets confirmed for this position will be pro vouchers leading to eventual for-profit privatization. We can only hope that the Trump administration decides it is too risky to move too hastily in this direction.

 

NCTraveler

(30,481 posts)
8. It's not a one size fits all issue.
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 11:37 AM
Jan 2017

Some need to realize that. They speak in absolutes when it comes to things they are clearly uneducated on. One of the biggest issues is the scope and scale of regulation.

yurbud

(39,405 posts)
13. when you bring in private contractors, they have a built in incentive to give less service, so they
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 04:11 PM
Jan 2017

can skim more profit, some of which is recycled as campaign donations, which stall regulation and lead to more contracts.

Proud Liberal Dem

(24,355 posts)
11. I'd say that there is a distinction to be made about DeVos and what Democrats support
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 12:26 PM
Jan 2017

For starters, DeVos is grossly underqualified and has some bizarre beliefs and Democrats still mostly support public education or at least don't support the wholesale privatization of education like most Republicans do, nor do they support the transfer of public funds to religiously based schools/institutions.

yurbud

(39,405 posts)
15. privatization to Wall Street sociopaths is bad enough. And school closures and other policies
Mon Jan 23, 2017, 08:47 PM
Jan 2017

that have no basis in research as effective ways to improve education, along with schools run by people with no experience in education, and curriculum and methods dictated by those with no experience in education is demoralizing and humiliating for teachers regardless of whether the know nothings are religiously motivated or simply by greed.

You can't spin away Democrats complicity with this bad policy.

They have to really change direction, not try verbal sleight of hand that will fool no one who feels the effects of this destructive policy.

I would have sympathy for the very wealthy dabbling in the education of the rest of us if they tried replicate the best practices of the private schools they and their children attended, but that is rarely the case.

yurbud

(39,405 posts)
19. Also, do you mean Democratic politicians or Democratic voters? There is a big difference between
Tue Jan 24, 2017, 11:09 AM
Jan 2017

the two on this and several other issues.

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