TX lawmakers threaten to privatize failing schools

[rainbow4321]

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/stories/040605dnmetunacceptable.d48c.html


The number of schools the state considers failing will skyrocket next year under a tougher accountability system approved by state Education Commissioner Shirley Neeley. And a new Senate proposal could pave the way to dozens or hundreds of those failing schools being taken over by private companies.

"There are people out there promoting the idea that public schools are bad," said John Cole, president of the Texas Federation of Teachers. "You'd almost forget that we have a president who ran on the idea that he had fixed the schools in Texas."

<snip>
But if Ms. Shapiro's bill becomes law, many of those schools would be managed by private – perhaps for-profit – companies. Under her proposal, any school that is rated unacceptable for two years must be removed from the control of the local school board and handed off to "alternative management."

<snip>

Last year, 92 Texas schools were labeled unacceptable. If the new standards had been in place, 1,213 schools would have received the tag. Texas has about 7,700 public schools.

[ixion]

1. corporate education...welcome to the machine

you don't need to worry about facts, just what the corporation deems 'suitable knowledge'.

[porphyrian]

5. Next year, you'll be a McFreshman!

I'm sure corporations have our childrens' best interests in mind. And they've got 10% off vouchers for all Spring athletic wear!

[jojo54]

2. Ever see the movie "Lean on Me"

with Morgan Freeman? The situation was slightly different, as the state threatened to take over the school, not privatize it. And the only reason this school pulled off an upset, was because the school board got somebody in there that actually GAVE A SHIT!

on edit/This was Patterson High School, Patterson, N.J.

[w4rma]

3. Now the GOP is going to intentionally destroy schools and kids' educations

just so they can give these schools to their ultra-wealthy insider friends to *profit* off of.

[rainbow4321]

4. Ugh....Halliburton High, Enron Elementary....n/t