For the sake of public education, Walker has to go
by Diane Ravitch
If you are concerned about the future of public education in Wisconsin, vote to oust Gov. Scott Walker. Since his election in 2010, he has proved himself to be a steadfast enemy of the public schools.
In the world according to Walker, the best way to reform public education is to demoralize its teachers, attack the teachers' union and hand over more taxpayer dollars to privately managed charters and voucher schools.
He is wrong on every count. In his role as governor, he has a constitutional duty to preserve, protect and strengthen the state's democratic institutions. He has violated that trust by his ongoing efforts to undermine public education, which is a cornerstone of our democracy.
As a conservative, he should have done his best to strengthen the public schools, not tear them down. Conservatives don't blow up traditional institutions. His approach is radical, not conservative.
As the state's leader, he should have set a good example and thanked the teachers who do the public's work every day. Regardless of what the contract says, the typical teacher works 11-12 hours every day, preparing the next generation to take their place as citizens and workers. But instead of acting as a leader, Walker spent the past two years as the state's bully-in-chief, showering the state's teachers with disrespect and blaming them for the ills of an unequal and unjust society.
more . . . http://www.jsonline.com/news/opinion/for-the-sake-of-public-education-walker-has-to-go-hc5kisr-156296855.html
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