A true story about Bill Bennett

[proud2BlibKansan]

true story about Bill Bennett



By Reed Hundt | bio


From: Politics



When I was chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (1993-97), I asked Bill Bennett to visit my office so that I could ask him for help in seeking legislation that would pay for internet access in all classrooms and libraries in the country. Eventually Senators Olympia Snowe and Jay Rockefeller, with the White House leadership of President Clinton and Vice President Gore, put that provision in the Telecommunications Law of 1996, and today nearly 90% of all classrooms and libraries do have such access. The schools covered were public and private. So far the federal funding (actually collected from everyone as part of the phone bill) has been matched more or less equally with school district funding to total about $20 billion over the last seven years. More than 90% of all teachers praise the impact of such technology on their work. At any rate, since Mr. Bennett had been Secretary of Education I asked him to support the bill in the crucial stage when we needed Republican allies. He told me he would not help, because he did not want public schools to obtain new funding, new capability, new tools for success. He wanted them, he said, to fail so that they could be replaced with vouchers,charter schools, religious schools, and other forms of private education. Well, I thought, at least he's candid about his true views. The key Senate committee voted almost on party lines on the bill, all D's for and all R's against, except one -- Olympia Snowe. Her support provided the margin of victory. On the House side, Speaker Gingrich made sure the provision was not in the companion bill, but in conference again Senators Snowe and Rockefeller, with White House support, made the difference. The Internet has been the first technology made available to students in poorly funded schools at about the same time and in about the same way as to students in well funded schools.

http://www.tpmcafe.com/author/rehundt

[Rex]

1. I wish poverty on Bill Bennett

Couldn't happen to a better asshole.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. What a fine friend to education he is

Private education, that is.

[Rex]

4. They want to privatize education so that they can pay teachers

$6 dollars an hour and if the teacher doesn't follow whatever agenda these crazies want to be taught, then it is a pink slip and out the door...

[proud2BlibKansan]

7. I think it is more than that

I believe they want to control what happens in schools, what kids are taught. Those of us in education have seen that coming for many years now.

They also want access to and control off the $$ spent on education in this country. It is really all about money for these assholes. Just like we all know they don't really believe SS is sick, they just want to get their hands on that pot of money. Same for education. They woke up when they realized how many gazillions of dollars the federal govt spends on education every year. One of the largest 'non profits' that runs charter schools in this country is controlled by the Walton family. What does that tell you? Who honestly believes the Waltons are involved in reforming education because of their good hearts and desire to help kids in this country? Not me.

I also believe that restructuring schools is part of their neocon agenda to dismantle all the good the Democrats have brought to this country since Roosevelt. This is the sick part of their agenda. They believe reform and improvements brought about by Democrats is evil. They are determined to destroy every program the party of the people has sponsored and passed. If Roosevelt had been a Republican, they would be praising SS.

[daninthemoon]

9. You are right, and I would add that I think there is also a racial/class

component to this. They want the rest of us as ignorant as possible.

[proud2BlibKansan]

11. Yes I agree

They are striving to create a two class society. They would feel more important that way.

[nvliberal]

15. Yep, it's a way to undercut unions.

Unions are powerful mostly in the public sector now, and the fascists have to undercut people's confidence in teachers and other public sector employees in order to ditch unions altogether.

These fascists absolutely despise unionization as well as public education, for those are the two primary means of upward economic mobility for the vast majority of people.

And to those who represent the interests of the handful of rich and corporations, this is heresy.

[liberalhistorian]

19. And only the private education

that benefits the elite, for that matter. Yep, real "moral values" there. God, I hate these hypocritical fuckers. Remember when he got busted for gambling after ranting about the evils of gambling in his stupid self-righteous book about values and morality-HIS values and morality, that is-and he said it wasn't a big deal because he got to decide what was moral for him and what wasn't? Yet, he felt he had the right to shove his version of "values" and "morality" down everyone else's throat.

I still love the story about how he was ranting about Larry Flynt in a speech and someone shouted out that they'd rather have their daughter raised by Larry Flynt than Bennett!

[proud2BlibKansan]

21. That is funny; I had not heard that

LOL Larry Flynt WOULD make a better parent than Bennett.

[afdip]

3. oh, i think he deserves more than poverty . . . .

how about a gender change and a third trimester abortion.

[MADem]

20. I wish him a complete lack of joy

When he gambles, he no longer gets that high. When Mistress Lee, his dominatrix, whacks him, I hope all he feels is OWWWWWCH! Man, that HURT...

When he pigs out on rich food, I want it to taste like bland oatmeal. When he drinks expensive booze, I want it to have the same taste and effect as dirty dishwater.

When he acquires more riches, I want him to derive no pleasure from them. I want his silk sheets to feel like sackcloth, his expensive shoes to pinch him like homemade wooden clogs, and his underwear, no matter what size or material, to chafe and bind him unrelentingly.

When he takes a shower, no matter how much he scrubs, I want him to never feel clean.

I want him to live a bland, awful, grey life, with no spark of happiness in it.

[FreedomAngel82]

5. Amazing

I think the reason why all these republicans want faith-based schools is so they don't have to pay for anything. They're all about corporations and them making money. Their kids probably would go to private schools and the rest of the kids to a faith-based school. If it was faith-based they probably would find a way for them not to pay for it. There are plenty of Christian schools in the country. My town has at least two I know of (a Catholic school and a basic Christian school) that anyone can go to and you know what you're getting. If all these republicans want religious schools around why not build a Christian school kids can go to and still have public schools and properly fund them? These republicans like Bennett don't give a damn about us regular folks and in my view the only reason why they care about religion with politics in general is so they can get elected. Only God knows their true heart(s) but it's getting really ridiculous. And I thank Mrs. Snowe for doing the right thing and helping all the kids. Does this include just public schools or community colleges too? My college (a community one) has two really great computer rooms and all the computers are great.

[proud2BlibKansan]

8. If I remember correctly,

that technology in education legislation also covered community colleges. It was really one of the better legacies of Clinton. I just last year finally got internet access in my classroom. My students' parents are the working poor and internet access at school is the only internet access most of them have. Because of the expense, the federal govt's aid was vital.

As for faith based schools, these conservatives have a false sense of Christian superiority that requires them to send their kids to 'Christian' schools. But they are also cheap asses and want someone else to pay the tuition. I honestly believe their motivation is just that simple.

The sad thinking about these faith based schools is that they do NOT have the technology or resources public schools have. They also pay their teachers poverty level wages. 25 years ago, I began my teaching career in a religious school. At that time, we were encouraged to speak out AGAINST govt funding because that meant govt rules. But I see that thinking has indeed changed.

[Fridays Child]

6. Translation: Screw kids because public education is a bottomless money...

...trough that my soulless, corporate friends and I plan to pig out on.

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. And now that their campaign to reform SS is failed,

they will just accelerate their efforts to reform education.

[Fridays Child]

14. GOP = Greedy Old Peckerheads

[HockeyMom]

10. After spending 12 years in Catholic school myself,

I CHOSE Public Schools for my daughters. Hear that, Mr. Bennett? My older daughter had two friends in public school whose parents were very WEALTHY and could have afforded any Prep School in the country to send their daughters. They, instead, sent them to the local public school. Bill Bennett and his ilk simply have no clue, none.

A voucher is not going to even come close to paying for a parochial ($6,000 one kid) or a private/prep type ($20,000++ one kid). Who do these people think they are fooling? Vouchers are just subsidizing people who can ALREADY afford to send their kids to these schools.

I troll the Freeper site. Whenever something negative is being discussed about public schools, their response is always HOME SCHOOL. Understand? Good Christian, Middle Class, Mommies should stop working and stay home and teach their OWN kids. Witness the comments made by Santorum in his book and even by Judge Roberts, and you will see the broader picture of the society that they want.

[nvliberal]

13. The problem with the "choice" argument is

that it isn't parents who choose where to send their children in private schools; it's the PRIVATE SCHOOLS which do the choosing.

Hence many if not most of these "exclusive" schools cherrypick the brightest kids from the public schools, and therefore these schools have a reputation for "excellence" which probably isn't warranted.

[HockeyMom]

16. In order to get into a Catholic HS

you have to take what is called the Co-ops. It is very much like an SAT test. You "apply" to several Catholic schools and then they pick their students based on the highest Co-ops scores and GPA; just like COLLEGES do. I can remember waiting for the mail as an 8th grader to see which schools I would be accepted to. The Prep schools have a similar test, but I cannot remember the name of it right now.

Yes, you are right. They take the cream of the crop FIRST, with just a minimum number of the "marginal" students. It was like this 40 years ago, and it still is.

Majority of people are unaware of this.

[MADem]

Of course, if you make a massive contribution to the church

they might find a way around that testing business!

[MADem]

23. Of course, if you make a massive contribution to the church

they might find a way around that testing business!

[proud2BlibKansan]

25. Bingo!

You have just explained why I oppose publicly funding private schools. As long as they can be selective about which kids are admitted to their schools, I will speak out against giving them tax dollars. We not only have no say over their admission policies, we also have no control of their curriculum, who they hire or who they fire. In my state and in most others, the only govt regs private schools have to follow are the ones dictating the length of a school day and school year. So as long as they are in class for at least 6 hours a day, 175 days a year, they are considered a school. THAT'S IT. Unbelievable, I know.

[spooky3]

24. my sister was a Freep's delight--did just what they recommended

and last year, her husband decided he wanted to separate after more than 30 years of marriage. Although he's provided as much as he can afford on his one income for 2 households, they would have been far better off, and would have money for their kids' college, if she had gone back to work instead of home schooling. Now the kids will go to community college on loans.

She has not held a job that would earn enough for a living for more than 20 years. They have cut back on all of the middle-class basics and live in fear of home and car repair bills and health problems.

But it has not yet dawned on either of them that their Rethug views are a major part of the problem. When I help out they attribute it to "God's providing for them."

It's hopeless.

[mzteris]

17. Not to mention

how he was planning to PROFIT off of said school failures:

Below is the pricing scale for "independents" who enroll in this K12 program............ their "online Virtual Highschool" state sponsored program is "free" to the enrollee - WHO PAYS???????? and HOW MUCH???????


K12 Online School Subscription (independent)
Introductory Pricing Effective April 15, 2005 (subject to change)

Monthly Payments
OLS Subscription Plan Month to Month Single Student,
1 Year Additional Student,
1 Year Single Student,
2 Year Additional Student,
2 Year
6 Courses 120.00 85.00 70.00 77.00 63.00
5 Courses 105.00 75.00 65.00 68.00 59.00
4 Courses 90.00 70.00 60.00 63.00 54.00
3 Courses 80.00 55.00 55.00 50.00 50.00
2 Courses 55.00 35.00 35.00 32.00 32.00
1 Course 30.00 20.00 20.00 18.00 18.00

Account Activation 75.00 50.00 25.00 50.00 25.00
Termination N/A Balance of Contract

***

Virtual School Programs Overview
Families in school districts around the country have the opportunity to ensure that their children are getting the education they deserve by enrolling them in an online Virtual School Program that uses the K12 curriculum.

As a parent of a child enrolled in one of these online Virtual School Programs, you will be educating your children at home using the comprehensive curriculum and learning materials provided to your school district by K12 Inc. The materials provided include access to online lessons, lesson planning programs, books and instructional materials*—in short, everything your child needs for an excellent education. And because online Virtual School Programs are established in school districts, there is no tuition.

When you enroll your child in an online Virtual School Program, you can be sure of what your children are learning and make sure they are progressing at the pace that is right for them. The flexibility of the K12 learning program also gives you constant opportunities for educating your children, allowing you to enjoy intangible rewards that families in traditional schools may be missing.

There are participating schools in these states:
• Alaska
• California
• Kansas
• Minnesota
• Pennsylvania
• Utah

[HockeyMom]

18. I have heard of this

First of all, SOMEBODY has to be HOME with these kids to use this online schooling. Again, back to Mommy stay home. Second, do you know where these "teachers" are? AOL did a piece on this. The teachers are in INDIA. Duh? MORE OUTSOURCING.

[sandnsea]

22. OMG, he doesn't go into K12???

Bennett's company is profiting from the internet in schools. His company uses poor schools to manage homeschooled students who use Bill Bennet's K12 curriculum through the internet. The poor school gets the state money to do recordkeeping for each homeschooled student, they keep a small percentage and pay the bulk to Bennett's company K12. Bennett's program has all kinds of subtle social engineering in it. Things like "Mom gets up to make breakfast, Dad gets up later to go to work". It's June Cleaver time, all the way. And Bennett's wife's abstinence "nonprofit" is more of the same. I haven't looked to see her salary or expenses, but the two of them are weaseling their way into the public school system and it isn't to deconstruct it as much as it is to make a fortune off of it.

[mzteris]

32. Virtual Highschool through

the public school system is NOT - repeat NOT "Homeschooling".

Homeschoolers have nothing (or very little) to DO WITH Public school systems.

(Public) School at home - is not the same thing as "homeschool".

[sandnsea]

35. K12 is NOT public school

K12 IS being marketed to homeschooling parents. It is a way for these parents to avoid sending their kids to school AND for people like Bill Bennett to further their agenda AND make a boatload of money off of it in the process. The K12 marketing strategy targets low income schools and uses those schools to reach into the homeschooling market in the entire state or large region of a state. You are right that it is not public school at home, it's something quite different and that's my whole point. Districts who have been duped into buying this program, well, they've been duped.

[mzteris]

59. check again

K12 is "also" a Virtual Highschool program offered through select school systems.

http://www.k12.com/getK12/

For example:

"Is this home schooling?
The Arizona Virtual Academy is a public school. It is not home schooling. AZVA provides another high-quality education option for your family. AZVA will be the right option for many, but certainly not all, families. Because it is a public school of choice, parents who enroll their students in AZVA can withdraw at any time if they are not happy with the program. We believe that families should be able to choose the program they feel is most appropriate for their child's education-and that they should be able to choose public schools, private schools, home schooling, or virtual public schools. AZVA seeks to be one more option to help you obtain the best possible education for your children. "

(Also note their use of the phrase "home schooling" - actually what they are doing is "home" "schooling" or simply public school at home - not what has become commonly referred to as homeschooling - there is a semantical difference in the two.




The point I'm making is that true Homeschoolers don't "do" "public school curriculums" - that's just public school at home AND with ps oversight.

True Homeschoolers RUN, not walk, from these type programs.

The beauty of homeschooling is autonomy and the freedom to pick and choose subjects, format, and content without some clueless bureaucrat dictating what they think is best for your child!

[Leeny]

26. Doesn't surprise me in the least

Can't say I knew it was true, but I always felt that they're trying to push us into privatization. There's tons of money to be made. Why let the government have all the fun? Of course, to hell with any checks and balances.

some days I think we're just f_cked!

[proud2BlibKansan]

28. No we aren't just f_cked.

We fight the bastards and eventually we win.

Sharing info like this is a small part of our fight.

[Leeny]

52. You are correct

Yes, I know. I do know that we have to continue to fight, and it does seem that the cover's been blown and people can see what this administration has brought. I just have days when it seems futile, even though I know better. Thanks for the reminder.
:kick:

[proud2BlibKansan]

53. If you really thought it was futile,

you wouldn't be here.

Never Give Up.

Welcome to DU :hi:

[progressoid]

27. Bennett doesn't qualify as scum. He's below that.

I'm forwarding this to some education friends. Thanks.

[proud2BlibKansan]

30. Yes I plan on sharing it as well

Everyone needs to see how far below scum Bennett is.

[AirAmFan]

29. Demand that his fellow board-members, corporate customers, and funders

DENOUNCE Bennett, for the genocidal racism that's evidently on his mind.

IMO, Bennett's recalcitrance and refusal to apologize sets up MUCH BETTER long run consequences for his gaffes than just being able to force him to apologize. Taking away his money and influence puts him out of action for a long time, and may have substantial deterrent effect for many other racist hypocrite politicians, making them keep their foul mouths SHUT.

Most Republican big shots are on corporate boards, or are connected to extreme-right projects that are funded by governments or by foundations. Bennett also seems to have been added to boards of some "nonpartisan" entities for political "balance".

Black parents and other anti-racists now have a mission: ELIMINATE Bennett's involvement in all these sources of his income and influence. As a former Secretary of Education, Bennett presumably is getting paid by many public, religious, private, and charter schools for his "advice". (Can you believe this?!)

For revealing what's on his sick mind, Bennett is highly likely to become radioactive, with a half life of decades. People tend to remember for a long time those who have advocated their ANNIHILATION.

The Philadelphia public schools have started a snowball rolling that has the potential to crush Bennett. A corporation with a $3 million school system contract has Bennett on its board -- but not for long. See http://www.philly.com/mld/dailynews/news/local/12790202.htm and a DU thread at http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=102&topic_id=1820502&mesg_id=1820502

But Philadelphia could just be the beginning. Here's a partial list of his affiliations dated November 2003, from http://rightweb.irc-online.org/ind/bennett/bennett.php (this webpage is replete with LINKS to verify his current affiliations):

"Right Web News, last updated: 11/20/2003

William J. Bennett

Partnership for a Drug-Free America: Co-chair

Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture: Board of Advisers

Campaign for America's Children: National Board of Advisers

Empower America: Founder

Foundation for Community and Faith Centered Enterprise: Board of Visitors, 2002

National Commission on Civic Renewal: Co-Chairman

Americans for Victory over Terrorism: Founder

Project for the New American Century: Founding member

Center for Security Policy: Adviser

Americans for Victory Over Terrorism: Founder/Senior Adviser

Center for Security Policy: National Security Advisory Council

He also may be on advisory or alumni committees where he went to school:

Williams College

University of Texas in Austin

Harvard Law School"

[proud2BlibKansan]

31. Wow I wish I could nominate this post for greatest page

Excellent info. Thank you muchly!! :)

[AirAmFan]

34. Thanks! I've just turned this post into its own DU thread, at

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=104x4953265

So now you CAN nominate it for the "Greatest" page. Also, please add there whatever your own websurfing and research turns up on Bennett's exploitable affiliations.

Maybe we can help get people to "light some candles" rather than just "cursing the darkness".

[MelissaB]

33. What a bastard! I'm wondering if "No Child Left Behind" is supposed to

finish the job. I've wondered for a while if the goal was to completly do away with public education.

[proud2BlibKansan]

37. I think that is a big part of it, yes

And what is sad is that NCLB was in the works for many years before it was finally passed and signed by *. Originally, it was a decent and fair piece of legislation. I actually supported it because I feel we need to be held accountable in educating our kids. I am proud of what I do and have no problem being held accountable for my work.

But then * got his hands on it and added the financial penalties. And when schools lose federal dollars, where do you think those dollars will go? Not back in the treasure chest of the federal budget - LOL! So yes, I do believe he and his cronies see NCLB as a means to an end in funding vouchers.

I have told this story here before but I think it is okay to repeat it because I think it explains where the WH agenda is with respect to NCLB. Right after NCLB was signed in to law, Rod Paige, who was US Sec of Ed during *'s first term, came to visit KC, where I live. It was supposedly a promotional tour for NCLB. At least that's what the media told us. He visited and held press conferences at two schools in the 'inner city'. One was a Catholic school and the other was a charter school. Paige praised them as examples of excellence in urban education. Paige had made arrangements beforehand to visit with the KCMO School District superintendent, who was waiting for him that day. But time got away from Mr. Paige and he had to rush to catch his plane after his appearances at the two schools and he canceled his visit with the superintendent.

The superintendent told the media that Paige needed to go back to DC and mind his own business. Not a direct quote, but the supt did slam Paige quite nicely :)

Now let's read between the lines of this story. First of all, why would Paige visit two schools that weren't obliged to abide by NCLB? If this really was a promotional tour for NCLB, then why in the world didn't he visit schools that were regulated by NCLB and would benefit from this piece of legislation? NCLB has ZERO impact on non-public schools. Charter schools are also exempt.

Second, why avoid meeting with the supt of the largest area school district? If indeed he really was promoting NCLB, why not have a few photo ops with public school administrators? (And, BTW, he and the KC supt are supposedly friends - maybe just a rumor, but makes you continue to wonder why Paige avoided seeing him while he was in town.)

Now here is the clincher - the two schools he visited, those 'examples of excellence'? One of them (the Catholic school) has since closed due to funding problems. The other one - the charter school - has some of the lowest test scores among all charter schools in the state. So much for the 'examples of excellence'. LOL

[MelissaB]

40. Thanks for the story. I teach, too, and am getting very frustrated.

There is no way schools can make AYP in the future. The bar is raised every year, and not every child will read on grade level. I wish I could make that happen, but I can't.

[proud2BlibKansan]

41. I know it's frustrating isn't it?

I am an LD teacher and this year they decided to give me a 'cross categorical' caseload. So now 90% of the kids I teach are MR. I went to grad school to become an LD teacher. I have spent 12 years teaching LD kids and have had great success. My kids have made AYP every year since we started state testing. Now they give me all these MR kids. I know nothing about MR. The kids are sweet and in many ways, they are easy to reach, but academically, we have a long road ahead of us. How in the world will all of these kids make AYP this year? I have a 4th grader who doesn't know the alphabet. No way will she perform adequately on a 4th grade Reading test. I have a 2nd grader who barely speaks English AND she is MR. I have a non verbal kindergartener. Thank goodness he isn't tested.

It's a mess.

[dogfacedboy]

70. Without a doubt.

These nuts on the right are trying to dismantle the entire American way. They want to destroy public education. I believe that these endless blunders of theirs' are designed to make people believe that the government is inept, in order to make the citizens turn on the government. Don't underestimate these people. They have a HUGE infrastructure put together with the goal of "reforming" America to their liking. They've already managed to split the voters 50/50.
There are two things to be hopeful about, however.
1) A large number of people who think their way are getting old, and thankfully they won't be around that much longer.
2) Recent developments, e.g. Iraq, DeLay, Bennett, SCOTUS, are causing them to implode a bit.

The time has come to start playing rough with these people. They are not civilized like our side is. They don't expect harshness from us, so that is EXACTLY what we need to throw at them. Just enough to make them stumble.When big fat slow moving creatures stumble, they fall fast and hard.

[oasis]

36. Education can be a ticket out of a life of crime and poverty. Bennett

is a slimy, putrified pile of shit for holding blacks back and then complaining about black crime.

[proud2BlibKansan]

39. EVERY child is held back with this kind of perverse logic

That's the really sad part. ALL kids are affected by this twisted thinking.

[LWolf]

60. And that is the EXACT logic and mindset

making up the driving force behind "No Child Left Behind."

To leave public education itself behind, while waving flags and making rousing speeches about improving education, while growing a massive population of cheap labor and cannon fodder, and controlling what gets taught so that they will all grow up to be obedient little voters.

And where are the Democrats? Most of them are on board; they've bought the test score/achievement gap lure hook, line, and sinker, and are helping to sink us.

[proud2BlibKansan]

61. Amen - where are those Democrats?

I am about over the disappearing act the party is playing. They have missed multiple opportunities to jump in and make the repukes look like the anti-kid friendly group that they are.

[LWolf]

62. It took me awhile.

In the beginning, and for a few years, I figured that it just wasn't high enough on the priority list, what with 9/11, Iraq, etc..

There have been more than enough opportunities at this point to step in and oppose policies which hurt kids, and to highlight the atrocities schools have suffered under conservative rule. They don't. They don't want to speak up about war, about Katrina, about the deficit, about the Patriot Act, about any number of major issues; why would they step to the front for schools?

[proud2BlibKansan]

63. They have spoken up about the lack of funding

but that was a couple years ago. Their latest policy seems to be silence - on every issue.

[LWolf]

66. funding-

I was always frustrated about the funding issue. Speaking up about the funding legitimized the actual harmful practices, in my mind.

That sort of "speaking up" means that, as long as it is fully funded, the practices are ok. They're not. Frankly, with the state of the economy, we all know there won't be more money forthcoming; taking a stand on funding that you can't produce seemed like the cowards way out to me.

Not that I don't think we need more funding; of course we do! We don't need funding for more tests designed and produced by conservatives, or more consulting, training, extra support, additional materials, tutoring, etc. provided by republican companies. We need more funding to build enough schools to keep them small and family oriented, hire enough teachers to lower class sizes to reasonable levels, and to hire adequate support personnel. We need funding to build rich libraries.

[madfloridian]

38. He bought his own internet school. Link.

http://www.americanoutlook.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=article_detail&id=2011

"So far, there is no good evidence that most uses of computers significantly improve learning.” So wrote former U.S. secretary of education William Bennett in The Educated Child, a book he coauthored in 1999. Now Bennett chairs a for-profit online education venture called K12 (www.k12.com), which offers a complete curriculum for grades kindergarten through fifth and will expand those offerings to grade twelve over the next few years. Bennett’s earlier skepticism about the role of technology in education has not subsided. K12, he says, is not a replacement of the traditional curriculum but rather a way of exposing children to it via the Internet. In an interview with George Clowes, managing editor of School Reform News (“Offering ‘the Heart and Soul of an Excellent Education,’” July 2001), Bennett said,

K12 is a comprehensive educational program. It can be used as a school, it can be used as a home tutorial, it can be used as an assessment, but—at its core—K12 will offer every lesson, every day for thirteen years in the six major subjects: math, English, history, science, art, and music. We use technology, we use books, we use all sorts of things. . . . Millions of parents care deeply about their child’s education. If they have access to a program that will help them secure a world-class education for their child, for an affordable price, then I think there will be plenty of demand.

K12 is unique among the growing number of educational options available to parents today, in that it can used in the home or in a traditional brick-and-mortar school, and either as a part-time tutoring tool or as a source of comprehensive, full-time instruction. According to the Cato Institute’s report “‘Edupreneurs’: A Survey of For-Profit Education” (2000), the last ten years have brought a large increase in the number of charter schools, publicly funded voucher programs, tuition tax credits, and private scholarships; and according to the National Center for Home Education, approximately 1.7 million children are now being homeschooled. The author of the Cato report, Carrie Lips, argued that this, among other things, is evidence of American parents’ growing “dissatisfaction with public schools and support for alternatives.”

Online learning has taken off across the country. Stanford’s Education Program for Gifted Youth (www-epgy.stanford.edu), which has offered a highly touted distance-learning curriculum for the past thirty-five years, opened enrollment for a new online program in 1992, and enrollment increased from 90 in the spring of 1993 to 3,550 in the fall of 2001. The following statistics from Education Week on the Web (www.edweek.com) indicate the dramatic takeoff of virtual charter schools:

The Florida Virtual School (formerly Florida Online High School) has been running since 1997, and in 2002 it more than doubled its enrollment from the previous year with over 5,000 students taking courses.

Kentucky Virtual High School opened in January 2000, and enrollment increased from 45 to almost 500 after two years.

In Pennsylvania, more than 4,000 students were enrolled full time in the state’s seven virtual charter schools by the spring of 2002."

[proud2BlibKansan]

42. Wait a minute

He owns an internet school but opposes putting the internet in all classrooms?

WTF is wrong with this picture? :rofl:

[madfloridian]

43. Yeah, the irony of it.

I have a great article about that school somewhere on my hard drive. I am looking for it now. It is very interesting.

[madfloridian]

44. Ooh, more! He provides curruculum to Florida Virtual School.

http://www.flvs.net/general/pr_newfunding_eschoolnews.php

From eSchool News staff and wire service reports
October 13, 2003

According to education analysts, the number of students attending school in a completely online environment has grown exponentially in the past few years. Despite a growing acceptance of virtual education as a viable means of schooling, however, many states are still struggling with questions such as how much to fund these projects, who should provide the instruction--and who should foot the bill.

In just the past few weeks, for example, teachers unions in Minnesota and Wisconsin have sued to block online charter schools from operating in those states; operators of an online school in Idaho have petitioned the state for more funding, saying the per-pupil expenditure that Idaho allows for virtual schooling is inadequate; and Florida's top financial officer is examining the state's contract with two companies running virtual schools in the Sunshine State for possible violations of state law.

In all of these cases, the schools in question are partnerships between public K-12 school systems and private, for-profit virtual schooling companies. Education observers say it's the idea these companies are profiting from public tax dollars--and siphoning them from brick-and-mortar schools in the process--that is the real issue.

Competition for funds

In Minnesota, the state's teachers union filed a lawsuit Oct. 9 to shut down the Minnesota Virtual Academy, an online charter school operated by the Houston, Minn., school district. The lawsuit contends that the school violates state law because it relies on parents instead of teachers to deliver day-to-day instruction. But observers say the underlying reason for the lawsuit is the belief by the school's critics that it amounts to a public subsidy for home schooling.

The academy has attracted such strong interest, largely from home schoolers, that it has had to turn away hundreds of students for lack of funds. It offers a curriculum directed by K12 Inc., a Virginia-based company founded by former U.S. Education Secretary William Bennett, author of the "Book of Virtues."

Sounds like he is reaping big profits from this. There is still another article I am trying to find.

[mzmolly]

46. He provides this curriculum around the entire nation at your and my

expense. :(

[mzmolly]

45. This guy now runs an internet based public/charter/private school

which is getting funding in many states.

He robbed the Core Knowledge Foundation of the ideas set forth by a Democrat and uses them in his curriculum. He claims to have developed the curriculum but he took the ideas of ED Hirsch (a democrat) and hired a bunch of wacko conservatives to put together a curriculum. I'm appalled that this man is running a nation wide school.

I actually considered his K12 program for my child as I've heard great things even from educated liberals, but I could not stomach Mr. Bennett personally. I plan to contact CK and K12 and ask them to sever ties.

http://www.k12.com/

[madfloridian]

49. I started a thread on this the other night, but it dropped quickly.

It is outrageous the benefit he is getting from our public money.
I wonder if Neil Bush and his software for dyslexia are involved. The whole bunch has screwed our schools up so badly. I am so glad I retired when I did.

[mzmolly]

51. It's such a shame.

:(

[madfloridian]

47. State provides computers, pays for internet access. Provides curriculum.

http://www.sptimes.com/2003/08/02/State/Public_funding_launch.shtml

St. Petersburg Times
published August 2, 2003

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------


"Public school parents who have entertained notions of homeschooling will have a publicly funded opportunity beginning Sept. 2.

The Florida Department of Education on Friday awarded $4.8-million in contracts to K12 Inc. and Connections Academy, two private companies that are supposed to provide home-based, computer-aided public education for as many as 1,000 students in kindergarten through eighth grade.

Under the terms of the contracts, participating families will receive computers, software, subsidized Internet access and complete curriculum packages aligned with the state's educational standards.

Faced with a statewide epidemic of crowded classrooms, legislators earlier this year approved launching the K-8 virtual school in a pilot form at a taxpayer cost of $4,800 per student. That's $724 less than the state's average per-pupil expenditure, but $1,300 more than students get for private school vouchers.

Only students enrolled in public school in the 2002-03 school year, or kindergarteners and first-graders who meet the state's age requirements, are eligible to participate. The state's 44,500 homeschoolers are ineligible."

Ok, now which internet providers would profit. Whose software and whose agenda is getting public money?

[Warren DeMontague]

48. I was waiting for the part where his leather-clad dominatrix

towers over him, screaming "bark like a dog, virtue-boy!"

[proud2BlibKansan]

55. It's vouchers, not virtues

LOL

Get with the program here, okay? :rofl:

[madfloridian]

50. Voucher probe was extended to virtual schools. 2003

Haven't heard any more on this, will have to check. Typical of GOP investigations to go nowhere.

http://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/content/news/vouchers/vouchers0923.html

Voucher probe widens to virtual schools
By S.V. Date, Palm Beach Post Capital Bureau

Tuesday, Sept. 23, 2003


TALLAHASSEE - The state's chief financial officer widened his probe into the Department of Education Monday to include an investigation of why the department, in apparent violation of state law, allowed two Internet-based schools to give virtual-school vouchers to children who did not attend public school the previous year.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the Senate Budget Committee said the two schools that provide lessons over the Internet should give up the $4,800-per-child stipend they're getting for as many as 300 such children this year or face angry lawmakers who may be unwilling to renew the pilot program next year.

Tom Gallagher, the Cabinet member in charge of the treasury, said his staff was aware of questions surrounding the legality of the Department of Education's decision but decided to act after a Palm Beach Post story Saturday on how a promised savings of $700,000 could become a cost to the state of as much as $950,000 if kindergarten and first-grade students enrolled in the virtual schools did not attend public schools the previous year.

"Our investigations unit is looking at it," Gallagher said, adding that the probe could take as long as 30 to 60 days."

[shance]

54. Their plan is to starve every social program so they can take them over.

Republicans put our tax payer money into things that destroy, often things that destroy us. Their plan is to break our country's back and then take us all over to where we are beholden to them.

That's of course what they are working very diligently at doing right now. Thats the only place the money seems to go. For more wars and defense spending.

....and disaster relief we are paying for all of that too.

[proud2BlibKansan]

57. Their agenda is so repulsive

How can people not see this?

[Mr_Spock]

56. Bill Bennet really ought to remove himself from this planet

He's wasting perfectly good air that some learning child could breath in.

[Warren DeMontague]

58. What, precisely, does Bill Bennett DO?

I mean, when he writes up his resume, what does he put under current career?


"Professional Pundit, Self-Proclaimed Authority and Master Grand Wizard Gasbag"?

[proud2BlibKansan]

65. "gambler"

And then of course if he was honest he would say "asshole".

[OrlandoGator]

64. Apparently Bennett didn't know you can gamble on the internet.

Otherwise, he would have supported it in a heartbeat.

[triguy46]

67. Not satan, but one of his minions. another truly evil man. n/t

[spanone]

68. Why not let the 'private sector' make education a cash cow

:sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm: :sarcasm:

[OmmmSweetOmmm]

69. When will America wake up and realize that many of these people

that are put in government positions, HATE government, and it is their job to try to ruin it so privatization can take place.