How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place in America? - NYTimes.com

Here is another example of how conservative groups are using issues which sound like they are helping the disadvantaged only to bankrupt the system.  This is the new strategy--just engage us until we can't afford it any more.  Make it impossible for us to fight their initiatives by concealing it as a civil rights fight or, in this case, a fight for special needs kids.

How Did Wisconsin Become the Most Politically Divisive Place in America? - NYTimes.com:

Of the 36 sponsors and co-sponsors of Litjens’s bill, 25 were ALEC members. Mark Pocan is one of the few ALEC members who did not co-sponsor the bill. A liberal Democrat from Madison, Pocan became a member of ALEC several years ago. He told me he wanted to draw attention to the organization’s unseen effect on Wisconsin’s legislation. In his floor speech that night, Pocan described an ALEC conference in New Orleans that he attended last summer. “I remember going to a workshop and hearing a little bit about a bill they did in Florida and some other states to dismantle public education,” Pocan said. “There was a proposal to provide special-needs scholarships. Lo and behold, all of a sudden I come back to Wisconsin, and what gets introduced? A bill to do just that.”

The next day, Pocan outlined a strategy ALEC advises its members to use: “You have to introduce a 14-point platform,” he said, “so that you can make it harder for them to focus and for the press to cover 14 different planks.” He pointed to several bills introduced in the past two sessions, including one that allows more children to enroll in virtual charter schools. “It sounds good,” Pocan said. “Kids could access virtual schools for home schooling. But again,” he emphasized, the real purpose is “taking apart public schools, drip by drip.”

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"UP With Chris Hayes" on Education

A couple of clips regarding the current state of education reform.

This clip deals with the effects of segregation in our schools.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

This clip discusses Romney's thoughts on education & education reform.

Visit msnbc.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

We Are Wisconsin--The Film

It's important to remember that this is a national struggle to preserve the rights of workers.  Remember that the Wisconsin recall is taking place on June 5th.

"Who’s Killing Philly Public Schools?": Daniel Denvir on Plan for School Closings, Privatization

"Who’s Killing Philly Public Schools?": Daniel Denvir on Plan for School Closings, Privatization: "We continue to look at the cost of public education, this time here in the United States. On Wednesday, thousands took part in education protests in Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and other Pennsylvania cities, condemning planned spending cuts. In Philadelphia, school officials have proposed a controversial plan to close more than 60 schools in the next five years and potentially privatize those remaining. On Thursday, Republican presidential contender Mitt Romney visited a Philadelphia charter school one day after he gave his first major policy speech on schools. We speak to Daniel Denvir, reporter for the Philadelphia City Paper. [includes rush transcript]"

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Progressive Group Expands Anti-Walker Ad Buy | TPM Livewire

Progressive Group Expands Anti-Walker Ad Buy | TPM Livewire: "The Progressive Change Campaign Committee is expanding its ad buy for an ad that went up last week urging Wisconsin voters to vote against Gov. Scott Walker in the recall election. PCCC is adding $30,000 to an their previous ad buy of the same amount, allowing them to expand from the Madison TV market to now include Green Bay. The one-minute spot will run in both markets on cable and broadcast, including hits on “The Colbert Report” and the Sunday shows.

The PCCC expects the ad buy to continue to grow depending on online fundraising. The ad, called “Remember. Recall.,” features Wisconsinites from the protests at the capital last winter explaining why they want to recall Walker. The recall election is set for June 5, when Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett will try to unseat Walker."



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Getting Back on Track

While the CEA and AFT were effective at mobilizing forces to stave off the draconian reforms proposed by Malloy and Pryor, it is time to reflect on how we might have avoided this fight in the first place.


The fact of the matter is that we as teachers have allowed others to define us and define the work we do.   We have also stood by and watched as policies instituted by people motivated by profit trapped schools in a downward spiral resulting in the present education achievement gap.


This has left a vacuum where those same people whose short-sighted policies broke the system have now stepped in to claim the mantle of Fighters for Civil-Rights.


This has to stop.

Members of the two major teacher's unions in CT have begun discussing how to more effectively organize at the local level and get back to our grassroots.  This group is going to focus not only on issues dealing directly with improving education, but will also focus on other issues which affect the whole child such as:

• Health & nutritional issues
• Economic policy
• Family support issues
• and a variety of social justice issues

We are going to be looking to forge relationships with other groups such as Parents Across America and other unions.  If we are going to effective counter the power of the billionaires looking for more profit, we are going to need to stand together.

To find more information about this group, read our statement.

Return often to find more information on the real way to improve education, and how you can get involved.