Dollar Signs in the Eyes of Ed. "Reformers"

There is real room for ed. reform.  Yet, when the current ed. "reformers" look through the window of cost-benefit analysis, it seems, in many cases, they see primarily through the lens of monetary self-interests.  If it was otherwise, City schools would get the state funds promised by the court.  Class sizes would be reduced.

1.  Charters are great.  They allow for "school choice"...
         
and large managerial salaries and lucrative contracts.  They often hire cheap, non-unionized labor, the educational equivalent of migrant workers, picking brains with a predominant interest in test preparation before they burn out and move on, leaving in their wake a path strewn by increasing societal segregation. 

2.  High-stakes standardized tests are the best ways to evaluate students and teachers...

 

especially if there is "No Profit Left Behind"!  And, if you believe in the merits of investing so heavily in tests, let me sell you the Brooklyn Bridge!

3.  TFA is great because young, inexperienced teachers get a chance to show what they can do...


through the "hiring of young, mostly white T.F.A. members" at a time when there are "layoffs of many older black teachers amid significant budget cuts" (Memphis, New Orleans and, doubtless, elsewhere).  Most work for no more than three years.  They will not stay around long enough to collect pensions.  

4.  Eliminate the due-process rights of tenure and rid classrooms more easily of less energetic teachers...



many of whom may be expensive to hire because they are older.  They may fail to cower and would rather blow a whistle than jump and dance when told. 

5.  Send in common standards by the name of Common Core because we all need to be equal...


in failing and, if one size fits all, there are great profits to be made in nationally standardized books, tests, software, etc.

6.  Replace teachers with cutting-edge technology because...



using a babysitter with computers all day is a lot cheaper than hiring a human with an advanced degree--that is, until the robot burns out!  Imagine the potential for new class sizes!

As we potentially save money, ask yourself how much we are losing.