I am not a gambler. I have only been on the Paradice one time - that was when it was setting sail in the evenings. I remember it well... It was a beautiful evening, we ordered drinks and just hung out on the upper deck. I feel asleep in my husbands arms before the boat docked...
I fully understand the implication of privatization of public schools. However, if in the meantime, investors get paid, I can't control that and won't feel guilty because of it.
I would prefer a good fit with a neighborhood school, or having a choice with a specific school that would suit the needs of my student. However, the bottom line is, myself and many parents like me can't wait any longer for public schools to get it right.
There is no denying that charter schools are big business. No doubt that is why chambers of commerce feel comfortable endorsing them and that is certainly why hedge fund managers are "cheerleaders" for them.
Like it or not, privatization of public schools is upon us. As teacher's unions struggle to find some way to remain relevant (and so they should), I suggest they consider this: invest some of that pension fund in charter schools. Now wouldn't that be ironic?
Charter Schools’ New Cheerleaders: Financiers
Wall Street has always put its money where its interests and beliefs lie. But it is far less common that so many financial heavyweights would adopt a social cause like charter schools and advance it with a laser like focus in the political realm.
Hedge fund executives are thus emerging as perhaps the first significant political counterweight to the powerful teachers unions, which strongly oppose expanding charter schools in their current form.
Read entire article here...
There is no denying that charter schools are big business. No doubt that is why chambers of commerce feel comfortable endorsing them and that is certainly why hedge fund managers are "cheerleaders" for them.
Like it or not, privatization of public schools is upon us. As teacher's unions struggle to find some way to remain relevant (and so they should), I suggest they consider this: invest some of that pension fund in charter schools. Now wouldn't that be ironic?
Charter Schools’ New Cheerleaders: Financiers
Wall Street has always put its money where its interests and beliefs lie. But it is far less common that so many financial heavyweights would adopt a social cause like charter schools and advance it with a laser like focus in the political realm.
Hedge fund executives are thus emerging as perhaps the first significant political counterweight to the powerful teachers unions, which strongly oppose expanding charter schools in their current form.
Read entire article here...
23 comments:
Funny you mention investors getting paid. Who are the investors of the Peoria charter school who are "getting paid", for example? No one, because it is run by a not-for-profit - just like the Harlem Children's Zone and most other charter schools.
Outside of Edison, what other for profit companies can you find involved in K-12 education? And how many charters are run by for-profit companies, including Edison?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charter_school
And that NY Times article? Is it talking about for profit schools or investments in them or anything like that? It's talking about how wealthy people, including many financiers, are DONATING their own monies to run charter schools - because they believe in them. Similar to how some people donate to eradicate cancer and other social issues.
Emerge, I hope I have always made it clear that an individual parent's choice always has to be what is best for his/her own children. I don't doubt that you are right that the unions on the national level will probably find a way to get in on the action by investing, etc. I am much more cautious about my support of unions at the national level--I guess I consider them a necessary evil for local unions to survive. I still will remain very suspicious of the agenda of businesses in education and remain very fearful that public education will be destroyed or damaged beyond recognition and the segment of society that is needed to work at the Wal-marts, etc., will be left behind and no one will care. Face it--our economy doesn't need for everyone to be a college graduate (or even a high school grad). There is much work at minimum wage to be done and without unions American workers will be back where they were before unions.
Jon, the difference is that power comes with money--and how many of those wealthy investors give a flying fig about integrated schools or students with learning disabilities, etc., etc.? They will pretend to care until they have enough control so that they no longer have to pretend.
Nice scare tactics, Sharon. How does this work?
Jon, the difference is that power comes with money--and how many of those UNIONS give a flying fig about integrated schools or students with learning disabilities, etc., etc.? They will pretend to care until they have enough control so that they no longer have to pretend.
Jon please... Not-for-profits are created as a front for investment purposes all day long.
Let me be clear - I am by no means saying that the Quest charter school falls into that category... I'm just saying.
I believe that local investors have their heart in the right place. They are bringing the charter school here because they want to do their part to educate children in Peoria.
Peoria as a community is very giving. While I wouldn't say Peoria Rocks!, it does have some redeeming qualities and people being charitable is one of them.
When you say "investment purposes", if you mean, like, investing in our community - as in better schools are good for the city, are good for businesses in the city, are good for people who live in the city, and everyone benefits from that investment, then we agree.
If, however, you mean "investment", like in a stock or bond, where the cash profits (revenues minus expenses) are paid out in cash to the investors who own the company, then, no, there IS an inherent difference between a for profit and not for profit company.
I speak so passionately about that because, as Sharon shows time and again, some people think the charter school is run like a for profit company, like Edison. That's simply not true. Right or wrong, Edison runs many people the wrong way. This ain't Edison. This isn't for profit - unless, of course, I mean "profit" in that the entire community profits from good schools that people want to go to. :)
When you said "hedge fund managers are hawking them (charter schools)" did you mean hawking them as stocks to be invested in, or hawking them as something to donate money to?
Incidentally, there WAS a time when for profit education models was a big deal, and many people invested in the stocks of those companies, like Edison. It went bust.
For your sake and the sake of your family, I hope your daughters name is drawn. If its not, however, it will be interesting to see if your attitude changes about it.
Thanks Anonymous. But this charter school nor anything in Peoria is the end all to be all for me or my children. It doesn't make or break us in one way or the other - we have options - unlike the majority of people who live here.
Regardless of the my daughter's outcome, I would never indicate one way or the other.
Nice post Emerge. I am hopefully with all the interest shown by the community there will be other choice offerings in the near future.
I think Peoria should offer more performance based choice options besides just Washington Gifted. There are many students in Peoria with academic talent that are underserved.
It seems to me that when Roosevelt Magnet School opened up back in the 80's as a Fine Arts School, not everyone could get in. Does anyone remember the process for that? I believe you had to apply, but I don't remember the procedure for choosing students. I understand that a magnet school and a charter school are not the same thing, but I believe Roosevelt was the first school in Peoria that was a "choice" school and I think there was a waiting list.
I just pray the charter school works out. Peoria needs a boost in education.
"Regardless of the my daughter's outcome, I would never indicate one way or the other."
Emerge, Journalist far greater than you have tried to camoflouge their biases and as of yet, we have yet to find one that was successful. Perhaps one, (Russert), but he's dead.
Anonymous. I'm not trying to camouflage any biases. My belief system is what it is. But by the same token, my opinions are not necessarily as presented on this blog. Sometimes what I blog about is somebody else’ point of view. So, whatever…
Jon. Whenever something is privatized somebody is benefiting monetarily.
Maybe, but there are 3 different sectors we are talking about: Public, Private and Non Profit. Most charter schools, including Peoria Qwest, fall into the Non Profit sector, not Private.
So are all private schools for profit? I don't think so. Also, charter schools are public schools that hire management companies to run the schools--and I still believe that those management companies make a profit--and that all of the profit doesn't return to the school. At least, I can't imagine why a company from another city and/or state would take an altruistic interest in educating Peoria children.
Of course, Terry, Karen, and I went to the drawing just because. I guess I taught too long; I predicted what might happen and sure enough it did. All siblings in the 5th, 6th, and 7th grade are accepted when one of the names is drawn from the hat. Sure enough a parent whose child wasn't chosen came up to complain that two chosen kids who claimed to be siblings weren't really siblings. Someone else asked a question that came to my mind. What happens if one of those selected doesn't pass year. Obviously, if a 4th grader chosen for 5th grade fails, he/she wouldn't go to the charter school. But what if a current 5th grader chosen for the 6th grade doesn't make it to 6th grade? It was an interesting process and the charter school is off and running.
Sharon, you should have simply asked one of the charter school officials, as I did, what was the process and procedure. I was thinking that, with some siblings with different names, how could you be certain that they weren't cousins, or even friends. Dr. Fischer said there were multiple checks of address, guardianship, etc., that were reviewed before the drawing to make sure siblings were, in fact siblings. I am sure there will be some interesting statistical analysis of the population dispersion (Jon?). What I think is extremely important is for the Dist to reach out to those families that weren't selected and begin a dialog on how to enhance their opportunities within the schools they will be attending.
Jim, good to hear from you. I wasn't being critical (just found it humorous because it was predictable) and the leaders did explain that process at the end--at least, it satisfied me; I'm not sure if it satisfied the parents who were complaining. Yes, I am interested in such a study--mostly, I'm curious as to which schools are now the most "depleted" and how the district will be reshuffling teachers because of the change in enrollment. Also, yes, I was curious as to whether or not it was acceptable to count as siblings those who do not live in the same house, etc. Of course, I was waiting to see if #75 had siblings and if the school would then accept an extra in another grade--but that didn't happen until #30 of the waiting list. Oh, and, Jim,--and I am being serious. Can you tell me how much I misquoted Dr. Gorenz? Naturally, it was the one time I didn't tape a meeting, so I was relying on my memory and the memory of others. So I had to order a copy of the meeting.
Jim - love the idea of the District reaching out asking for parental input as to how to better meet student needs.
Emerge - would be interested in hearing how you thought the evening went.
Jon - shouldn't those letter be going out regarding Washington soon?? Hope it is good new for your family.
Frustrated said: "Jim - love the idea of the District reaching out asking for parental input as to how to better meet student needs."
HaHaHahahahahahhhahaahahah OMGROTFLMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I think the Washington letters may have gone out--some ifs in my answer. I heard that 3 students who do not attend 150 schools now received letters.
Man Sharon - you must have a vast network. You always have the scoop!
Frustrated, don't take my word on that--I just heard it and didn't ask for the original source of the info.
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