Tag: Privatization

PJSTA Live- Episode 3- Ed Reform 2.0

Our third episode of PJSTA Live deals with Ed Reform 2.0.  We were joined by two guests, Alison McDowell and Jia Lee.  McDowell, a parent and a public education activist, blogs at Wrench in the Gears where she takes a skeptical look at digital curriculum in public schools.  Additionally she has been involved in United Opt Out and has presented her findings regarding digital curriculum at various locations across the country.  Lee is well known in public education and teacher union circles.  She has been a conscientious objector for several years, ran against Michael Mulgrew for UFT President last year, and has been a dedicated member of the Movement of Rank and file Educators.  She has worked tirelessly to organize teachers in the fight against school privatization.

You can access McDowell’s blog post “Digital Curriculum: Questions Parents Should Be Asking” here.

You can access the slideshow used by McDowell by clicking here.

Click here to access the Students Not Scores website where details around McDowell’s appearance on Long Island will be updated soon.

PJSTA Live- Episode 2- Betsy DeVos

Check out our December episode of PJSTA Live where I was joined by Carol Burris, Marla Kilfoyle, and Michelle Gunderson.  We talked about the appointment of Betsy DeVos but also dove into a more deeper discussion on how we build resistance not only to DeVos but to privatization in general.  We discussed the need, as unions, to do the all important work of site based organizing within our schools to build the foundation for the work that we have in front of us.

Watch the episode whenever you get a chance… on the couch, on the treadmill, in your faculty rooms at lunch time, or even listen to it in the car.  Please share far and wide within your circles, and be sure to make suggestions for our future episodes.

Man Arrested for Speaking Out Against the Common Core

The reformers will seemingly stop at nothing as they try to silence critics of their policies.  In case you didn’t see it, a man was arrested in Maryland last week for speaking out against the Common Core State Standards at a public forum that the Maryland State Education Department hosted.

At one time in America you weren’t arrested for asking questions and being critical about something.

We know corporate “privatizers” don’t care to hear from teachers.  We know they didn’t care about what parents thought either.  What they care about is making a buck on the backs of our children.  But still, this is simply outrageous.  Where will it end?