Minority Voters Chafe as Democratic Candidates Abandon Charter Schools

[TexasTowelie]

ATLANTA — The night before Democratic presidential candidates took to a debate stage here last week, black and Latino charter school parents and supporters gathered in a bland hotel conference room nearby to make signs they hoped would get the politicians’ attention.

“Charter schools = self-determination,” one sign read. “Black Democrats want charters!” another blared.

At issue is the delicate politics of race and education. For more than two decades, Democrats have largely backed public charter schools as part of a compromise to deliver black and Latino families a way out of failing district schools. Charters were embraced as an alternative to the taxpayer-funded vouchers for private-school tuition supported by Republicans, who were using the issue to woo minority voters.

But this year, in a major shift, the leading Democratic candidates are backing away from charter schools, and siding with the teachers’ unions that oppose their expansion. And that has left some black and Latino families feeling betrayed.

Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/26/nyregion/charter-schools-democrats.html

[evertonfc]

1. let me say this

Nashville is a progressive oasis in Tennessee. Charter schools are hugely popular with minorities here. In fact, the can be a single issue when voting. Vouchers are unpopular but charter schools are a delicate topic.

[Freddie]

2. Charter schools

Are often another way for huge corporations to suck off the taxpayer teat and make big profits while paying teachers less than public schools. If teachers have the same salary and benefits as public school teachers (I think they do in Philadelphia) no problem.

[Jose Garcia]

3. Many charter schools are operated by non-profitsn