Praising New Orleans for union-busting. Attacking houston public schools & praising anti-union KIPP.

[Hannah Bell]

Why is this man addressing a union convention?

Two weeks before his scheduled speech to the national convention of the American Federation of Teachers, billionaire Bill Gates was in Chicago to address the The National Alliance for Public Charter Schools. The meeting, which was focused on privatization and the evils of public schools, was well-funded and featured educational "entrepreneurs" from across the USA. It was also an ongoing attack on public schools — particularly public schools in America's cities, where the challenges are greatest. And example of how that attack is being conducted can be seen below in Bill Gates's own words, supposedly contrasting the bad public schools of Houston, Texas, with the energetic salvation being offered by KIPP charter schools in Houston. Of course, Gates leaves out the fact that KIPP charter schools routinely dump half (or more) of their kids back into the public schools, thereby guaranteeing that their test scores are "higher."

Bill Gates, Microsoft founder and currently pushing charter schools through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, will address the national convention of the American Federation of Teachers on July 9 in Seattle. In a June 29, 2010, speech in Chicago, Gates praised New Orleans, which used Hurrican Katrina to destroy the United Teachers of New Orleans, one of the strongest unions in the South, in order to force charter schools on the City of New Orleans. In Chicago, Gates promoted "small schools" until he abruptly abandoned them in favor of charter schools and "turnarounds," which began by destroying the small schools are Chicago's Orr High School. Not only did Bill Gates speak at the Chicago meeting but Bill Gates set the tone for the teacher bashing, union busting and privatization agenda with his main speech there.

In his own words...

National Alliance for Public Charter Schools Official Transcript: Bill Gates, Co-Founder Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. Address at the 10th Annual National Charter Schools Conference, June 29, 2010...

http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=1522§ion=Article

[Starry Messenger]

1. I think he is there to mark his territory.

[Hannah Bell]

2. :>)

I think he's there to hand out the bribes.

[Starry Messenger]

3. A little of both perhaps.

Everyone gets a sprinkle of gold, one way or another...

:D

Seriously though, it's just sad to see him at a union conference. I can't wait to see the reports about this.

[maryf]

10. Sprinkle of gold

Love that, Starry! Glad the NEA seems to be really doing its job, my "union of professionals" (hate that moniker!) NYSUT is affiliated with both, wonder who will have the stronger pull...sad to say, I think its the one with more "gold" glittered on its head...

[Starry Messenger]

20. :D

His being there just seems like such a top dog gesture of contempt. It was the first thing that occurred to me, honestly!

[proud2BlibKansan]

12. LOL!!!

[Dinger]

24. Yup (nt)

[old mark]

4. Possibly to mock Union members and prepare them for sevral years of unemployment....nt

[Sgent]

5. Yep

and it worked. Grad rates are up 20% as well as test scores.

New Orleans had the most dysfunctional school system in the US before Katrina, house needed to be cleaned.

[Catshrink]

8. It worked for some - mostly just legalized segregation

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=219x26499

[proud2BlibKansan]

13. And Katrina was the best thing to happen to New Orleans

Yes indeed.

[Starry Messenger]

19. And it needed a hurricane to "clean house".

Do you work on Wall Street, perchance?

[KamaAina]

25. And what about the poorer, less motivated kids, as well as the ones with disabilities?

From what I hear (and I have contacts in NOLA), they're being fobbed off on the state-run "Recovery School District" schools, which is just a warmed-over version of the old Orleans Parish School Board.

So it's "No Child Left Behind, Unless She's Disabled Or Her Parents Aren't Involved". :eyes:

[Hannah Bell]

31. different populations.

JOHN MERROW: District-wide data indicate that Vallas has a problem. The average special education population in traditional schools is 12 percent, but at charter schools, it's less than 8 percent.

Are your charter schools somehow excluding special needs kids?

PAUL VALLAS: No. No, not at all. Charters are generally much smaller than regular, traditionally run schools. You know, so charters may not have the capacity to have the various special education specialties like the speech therapists, et cetera. A parent's going to ask, "Do you have these services?" And if a charter doesn't have those services, the parent's going to look for another school.

KARRAN HARPER ROYAL, Parent Advocate: That's discrimination. That's discrimination. You can dress it up however you like to, but it's really discrimination.

http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/education/jan-june09/nolacharter_05-06.html

[blindpig]

6. Just a piece of the puzzle

Everything is a commodity to the Capitalist, every damn thing. Water, air, the genome of flora and fauna, human development, it's all just an opportunity to make a buck and nothing else matters.

k&r

Kill Capitalism

[xchrom]

7. hmmmmmph -- hate that fucker, period. nt

[TBF]

9. Keep your friends close and your enemies closer -

that is the only thing I can think of to justify why a Union would WANT Gates to speak.

[maryf]

11. sadly the AFT is compromised...

and the leaders would consider Gates its friend...
K&R btw.

[flyarm]

15. then get rid of the leaders of AFT..do it fast..call elections..get the compromised out!

Idon't know or understand your union..I don't profess to know..but can you not call special elections and remove them all? Get teachers into the leadership..and fast..

As I see it , and again I do not understand nor profess to understand your union..but I see it as the big corp guys know they can not put their money into the stock market and rape it any longer..they moved alot of the $$ into the Euro when Cheney did a few years back...and there is a possibility of the Euro tanking...they know they need a new place to put their money, so they don't pay taxes on it..so an untapped place ..was logically Public schools and the properties that the Public schools sit on..

They can get the tax payer money with their charter schools..which with the Broad group I now see as Military training grounds ..with all those former military and Pentagon types now being moved into our local communities with the bastards they are training in Administration for public schools..

Kick all their asses out of your union..just do it..put teachers in..ones you trust and have checked out their backgrounds extensively to know they have no link to the Broad/ Gates fuckers..

Call special elections..and just get their asses out!

Talk to each other..educate fast other teachers..have meetings in your homes if nessessary..You are up against some of the most powerful in this nation..fight fire with fire..

Start now in your local school districts..get to the teachers..educate them fast..bring parents in ..

No one has the "RIGHT" to run your union..But you have the "RIGHT" to chose your union leaders..if they are not protecting you ..get them the fuck out!

I know that sounds simple and I know it is not..but you better do something and fast! These fuckers have planned this for some time..you have to work fast to surpass them and keep your Jobs and your rights!

As I said ..I do not know much about your union..But I Have been a union member since 1970..and I have worked with my Union extensively..and My husband was VP of his UNION for 11 years..and neither one of us could be or would allow ourselves to be compromised by anyone. In fact my husband and I were asked to speak to the Young Union Reps of my husbands former union ( we are both retired now) this past winter to educate them.and I was so surprised by the reception we got by the Newbies and the Young people representing their fellow Union members. After we spoke ..the young ones kept us in the Hotel Lobby for hours asking us questions..and intelligent questions, I might add...because they want to know and learn how to protect their jobs and livelihood.

Get busy educating..your voices as teachers is too important to our nation to be silent! Get to those meetings..You have the information..now get it to all your union members!

I just had a teacher at my home yesterday and she knew nothing about any of this ..and she is a very active teacher and she was furious she didn't know anything about Broad and Gates and what they are up to.

If you know this Info..share it..and get this info to all teachers..You can only help yourselves and protect your jobs from these fuckers if everyone is educated about it!
And Get the Info to parents..we will help you..
Get in front of your Union meetings and edcuate..do it now!!

fly

[Hannah Bell]

22. aft is controlled by the unity caucus, a machine operation.

The Unity machine is one of the last huge political machines to remain potent in the US. Here is how it works. The leadership (Mulgrew, Randi Weingarten or whoever) dispenses patronage to its followers in exchange for complete loyalty. If a UFT member wants a free trip to AFT and NYSUT conventions or a UFT job, one has to join Unity Caucus or their wholly owned subsidiary since 2003, New Action. Unity makes a big pitch for newly elected chapter leaders to join them. After someone is accepted to the caucus, they have to drum up 100 signatures to get on the ballot for the UFT election to win those free trips to conventions.

http://uftelections2010.blogspot.com/2010/02/read-james-eterno-on-unity-political.html


First, there's this from Sawchuk:

"Like any other union, the AFT is a democratic, political organization." I don't blame any reporter for making this mistake because they don't know the infighting that goes on. But the AFT is no a democratic organization. Name an organization that has not had a contested election in 36 years? I mean Iran is more democratic. Kim il Jung uses the AFT manual for political control. And never forget – Al Shanker had the bomb before either of them.

Now those of us who have been at Delegate Assemblies for years know the drill. But the Chicago people at their first convention are getting a rude awakening. First at the committee meetings yesterday and then on the floor today where the massive numbers of NYC delegates from Unity Caucus had a total plan for eliminating any resos or amendments they didn't like. Or rather Ms. Micromanagement Randi didn't like (there's no democracy in Unityville either).

They have specific people assigned to each area - even the designated "I call the question on all matters before the body" to stifle debate. There was one guy yesterday named Steven Kaplan I believe who was so thrilled at how he carried out his assignment he leaped in the air (I have to find that video). I mean it is not every day that you get to call the question in front a national audience.

http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/2010/07/edweek-gets-schooled-at-aft.html


UFT Pseudo Democracy Explained
By James Eterno; UFT Chapter Leader, Jamaica High School

Usually around UFT election time, members approach me and say, "Why can't an opposition group win control of the UFT?" They tell us all the time how we are great fighters who could do a better job than the UFT leadership. I usually smile, say thanks and ask for their help to spread the word, knowing full well that being in opposition to Unity Caucus (Randi Weingarten's faction of the UFT) is not a great career move...

HOW DOES THE UNITY MACHINE OPERATE?

The UFT, basically since it was founded in 1960, has been controlled by a closed, invitation only political party called Unity Caucus. Unity, under the leadership of Al Shanker, organized a strict, top-down corporate structure that pretty much ensures that they will retain power but it inhibits true unionism that should come from the rank and file. This does not mean that there aren't good trade unionists who care about education and the members in Unity. I've worked with Unity officials who have helped my Chapter on many occasions. It's just that within the top-down hierarchical structure, the Unity machine stifles any real movement from the rank and file that would be necessary if we are to exert our union power.

The answer is quite simple. Since Unity wins every UFT Election (Explaining slate voting and the at large election system is another post.), they control the decision making bodies of the Union (the Ad Com, Executive Board and DA). Just as importantly, they are in charge of the perks of the Union. At the bottom of the Unity food chain are Unity members who receive free all expense paid trips to the American Federation of Teachers and New York State United Teachers' Conventions. These free convention jaunts only go to Unity loyalists. Next up the line are those whose loyalty is rewarded with part time paid Union jobs. These are after-school positions and also jobs for retirees. These jobs are only opened to Unity Caucus members and lately to New Action supporters. New Action was a traditional opposition group that I once belonged to that has not run a candidate against President Randi Weingarten in the last two UFT elections but the Caucus is still on the ballot. Now, their people are on the Union payroll too. They were not in the past.

http://www.ice-uft.org/

[maryf]

35. Thanks so much...

I had the gist but not the nitty gritty...this is really helpful...

The NEA held out from affiliating with NYSUT for a long time...now I see why, hope they break away again, the NEA schools I taught in were better than the AFT/NYSUT ones...at least the NEA acts a little more like a union...argh, should have stayed a sheetmetal worker...

[Starry Messenger]

36. Thank you.

I was wondering what that was about too.

[Hannah Bell]

42. are you guys aft members? if so, why haven't you heard of this?

this is the reason teachers should have been organizing at the grassroots a year ago. with enough information/organizing, a real challenge to the machine could have been mounted.

now the chance is passing, & it looks like school deform continues -- judging by the reports of the bill gates speech.

it makes me sick that a 50-teacher walkout was the only negative response to that union-busting sack of overprivileged shit.

[Starry Messenger]

44. I don't know honestly.

I've been a member for 4 years but this is the first I've heard of the Unity coalition. The school I teach at is closely affiliated with Stanford's school reform efforts, so it might just be that people just don't talk about it there. Or they actually like it (shudder). Everything I know now, I've learned from the internet in the last six or so months.

[Hannah Bell]

45. more on unity -- at the convention --

Sunday, July 11, 2010
Unity Caucus and Democracy

It is one thing to spend two hours a month at a UFT Delegate Assembly with the Unity Caucus horde. It is quite another to spend 4 days surrounded by them and their allies from around the nation.

One of the Chicago/CORE crew told me: After spending days dealing with these assholes I completely understand and sympathize with what you New York guys face.

One correspondent said: I am still trying to get a mental picture of a DA on steroids but all I see is Randi with extremely large muscles.

He's almost right about the muscles. Randi came up huge for her side, so much so that even her opponents were impressed. She had been looking a bit shopworn and a bit bored in New York but she was as confident and relaxed as I've ever seen her...The master of manipulation had every base covered...

http://ednotesonline.blogspot.com/2010/07/unity-caucus-and-democracy.html

[maryf]

34. but can you not call special elections and remove them all?

the AFT is like a corporation, only the board members have a vote...

[proud2BlibKansan]

14. Some are boycotting

I'm trying to find poster board for a sign and there's none to be had :)

Sign or not I'll be there with bells on.

[flyarm]

16. don't boycott ..get in their fucking faces..get in your union leaders faces..and let them know loud

clear..you will not accept this shit..make noise..and loudly..boo the fucker off the stage..and let your union leaders know this is unacceptable..and you will not take it sitting down quietly!

Do everything you can to cause a ruckus..Boycotting only helps these fuckers get further down the road with their plans!

Stand up to them! Loudly!!!!!!!!!!
Then threaten to remove your union leaders for bringing the fucker to your meetings..let them know you know what it is all about..fight..fight back now before it is too late!

[proud2BlibKansan]

17. Oh I'll be there.

Interestingly signs and banners are forbidden by our union constitution.

I don't believe that will stop all delegates from a display of disapproval. :evilgrin:

[flyarm]

18. get up..get up collectively and turn your backs to the bastard..while screaming loudly!

start a loud chant..no to Gates , no to union busting, no to corporated military take over of public schools..no to our tax money going to the elite..

I know you can do it..just do it!! people will follow you!!

Don't let pacifists intimidate..just do it!

Don't let him talk..scream over him!!

or get a huge block of people to walk out while screaming when he comes to the stage!! Just do it!

Educate as many teachers as you can gather groups together in the hall ways ..hold hallway meetings..you can do it! Educate as many as you can..see this as an opportunity to save your jobs and our public schools!

I sure wish I could come to your meetings ..I would cause a shit storm! and have been known to do so!

[HCE SuiGeneris]

21. Kudos

to you for raising hell. It's so essential that we be heard by our voices, and not just streams of text.

:thumbsup:

[maryf]

39. Wish I could too...

but I'll be at a NYSUT conference this year, and will question and turn my back on those who don't take the NEA stance vs. the AFT one...

[Sgent]

23. The RSD

includes effectively every public school in the city. There are 8 schools that are still overseen by the NO School Board -- and all 8 are charter schools and have been for decades.

This is the latest test scores.

NEW ORLEANS, La. - For the third consecutive year, Recovery School District students showed significant improvement in state standardized test scores, according to preliminary data released today. Overall, performance levels in the RSD’s direct-run and charter schools climbed by 6 percentage points, compared to a 1 percentage point growth overall for the state. The RSD led the state in growth from 2009-2010 as well as for the last three years.



Students in the 4th grade who took the LEAP exam for the first time passed at a rate of 58 percent this year, up from 54 percent in 2009. Since 2007, the passing rate for first time 4th grade test-takers in the RSD grew from 36 percent to 58 percent.



Among 8th grade students taking the LEAP exam for the first time, the percentage of students passing grew 9 percentage points from 41 percent in 2009 to 50 percent in 2010. Since 2007, the percentage grew from 32 percent to 50 percent.



“The mission of the RSD is to take responsibility for some of the most challenged schools in the state and provide children within those schools with superior educational opportunities. The early results are compelling because for the third straight year we’ve improved at every grade level at a rate that is exceeding the state’s growth,” said RSD Superintendent Paul Vallas.



Especially significant were the cumulative gains in the percent of students performing Basic or above across all testing grades and subjects. The RSD’s 20 point gain since 2007 leads the state.


Although individual teachers may have not been the problem (although they often were -- something like 40% weren't even licensed), the union definitely contributed to the dysfunction prior to Katrina.

Katrina was the best thing to happen in decades to the NOLA schools.

[proud2BlibKansan]

26. Tens of thousands died. Many are still missing.

Your post is absolutely revolting. :puke:

[Hannah Bell]

27. "Katrina was the best thing to happen in decades to the NOLA schools."

I think that sentiment speaks for itself.

[Catshrink]

28. Yeah - quoting Arne doesn't exactly give someone credibility.

[Starry Messenger]

30. Keep it up.

I want everyone to see what the "New Democrat" looks and sounds like!



Katrina=Golden opportunity. This is the mentality now.

[Hannah Bell]

32. wrong. rsd controls 79% of schools. and the parish board controls 4 non-charters.

The Orleans Parish School Board, which once controlled more than 100 schools, retains only 16: 12 of them independently run charters and four traditional public schools.

http://www.nola.com/education/index.ssf/2010/03/new_orleans_parents_complain_t.html

and scores in the parish-controlled schools have also improved.


NO school scores were improving BEFORE katrina:

http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/05/orleans_parish_leap_scores_sho.html


Perhaps the death & deliberate dispersal of a significant portion of the poor/black population of the city has something to do with the change in test scores as well.

NO went from being a black-majority city to a white-majority city.

"The best thing that could happen"

[flyarm]

33. wow your last sentence ..just made me puke in my mouth..and sick to my stomach..

did you see the bodies floating in the water??

Did you know those that survived, that were many african americans were displaced from their homes ,.many forever...some were put in concentration type housing..others were put in toxic trailers and not allowed to talk to anyone in the media while they got sicker and sicker..

Did you know many lost family members and many watched their family members drown..or die in attics and they watched them die of heat exposure?

Did you know some tried to hold onto their loved ones hands and lost them to the flood of water..because they could no longer hold on??

Did you see the bloated bodies of the dead???????

And you would sit here and tell us all you are a democrat?

I guess the new democrats have alot of feeling and care about their fellow Americans ..not........

to quote you:
"Katrina was the best thing to happen in decades to the NOLA schools."


I am glad I don't know you...please never sit next to me at a Dem meeting or convention..I know what I would do or say would be out of control...and damn ugly!

[Starry Messenger]

37. +100,000

[Sgent]

38. I know and was effected by all of that personally

that being said, I'm not sure what the horrors of Katrina has to do with the demolishing of the school system -- they are separate events caused by the same disaster.

If Katrina could never of happened, that would obviously be for the best. The thousands of lives lost, those displaced, and the devastation was unbelievable -- including my grandparents who lost their house. That being said, it did happen, and the after effects did bring about some good changes in the city, a major one being the destruction of the old school system and creating a new one from the bottom up.

[flyarm]

41. well I am very sorry for you that you think it was the best thing that happened to your schools.

i feel sorry for your soul.

[Omaha Steve]

29. Great find and post

K&R!

[KakistocracyHater]

40. get rid of public schools=bring back child labor & its lowered wages

all part of the plan

[leftstreet]

43. K&R