Saturday, December 17, 2011
Charter schools / Walmart Walton Foundation finances pro-charter government agency
Posted by Max Brantley on Sat, Dec 17, 2011 at 10:26 AM
A new wrinkle in the effort by the Walton billionaires to take over public education.
Unhappy with sufficient approval of charter school applications in Illinois, charter school advocates got a separate agency created as an end around the opposition to charter school creation.
Initial problem: Lack of state money to fund the new agency.
Solution: Walton Foundation has provided operating money, funneled through an intermediary organization heavily financed by the Waltons, before a regular revenue stream kicks in. Plenty more where that came from.
Naturally, all promise there is no conflict of interest in an agency financed by the Waltons being put in charge of approval of charter schools, which the Walton money vigorously endorses. Just like we can be sure the pro-charter, anti-union department at the University of Walton in Fayetteville, which was created and continues to be endowed with Walton money, doesn't have a pro-charter, anti-union bias because of that money. Just coincidental.
Next: The Kochs will pay to operate the county planning office overseeing land use in the Lake Maumelle watershed.
Speaking of...
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A fierce race for Senate unfolds
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Another study debunks charter school 'miracle'
April 16, 2012The University of Texas reports on a new study that says urban school districts in Texas do a better job of retaining and graduating black students than the privately operated charter schools, some with more money to spend. /more/
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State arguing both ways on school choice
April 16, 2012Anybody else notice this paradox? A federal lawsuit arising in Malvern challenges the state's decision to deny transfers based on potential racial impact. /more/
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Tuesday night topics
April 10, 2012The line is open. Closing out: * MAIN STREET BLUES: I wrote back in February that the Arkansas Redevelopment Authority wasn't happy about finances and tax payments on $1.8 million in redevelopment loans to Scott Reed, who had big plans for Main Street redevelopment that has so far primarily produced the troubled Porter's restaurant. /more/
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How education 'reform' is being accomplished
April 10, 2012Great article from Dissent on how the billionaires are achieving education "reform." By buying politicians and research institutions. /more/
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Maumelle charter gets reapproval despite critics
April 9, 2012The Arkansas Board of Education voted 7-1 today to give a three-year renewal to the Academics Plus charter school in Maumelle, but wouldn't allow an increase in the enrollment. /more/
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ALEC targets public schools
April 9, 2012A good report here on Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal's upending of the educational order with legislation to expand charter schools, expand private school vouchers and link teacher pay to test scores. /more/
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Open for business
March 13, 2012News roundup: Super Fund site in Helena; don't say gay legislation in Tennessee, Arkansas Lottery director's pay /more/
- More »
Comments (6)
Showing 1-6 of 6
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We must coddle and protect our 1% . They are so essential to the working of democracy in the U.S. You would not have an array of cheap Chinese goods without
them. Lower prices, less democracy, take your choice.
A very good article. Trolls read the writer's qualifications before beginning the usual Rovian drooling.
Iraq . . . The End of America's Great Expectations
http://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/the…
Another example of goodies bestowed on us by the new American Royalty.
Like Kagan and Sotomayor have not been partisan...Commmmonnnn!!!...they are to the left of Atilla the Hun.....as are Justice Ruth Buzzy Ginsberg and Stevie Breyer (the Impeached One's two Justices)....so cut the crap on the partisanship....and Repub-appointed Judges vote more liberal than lib eral President's appointments.....Go ahead try to prove me wrong....
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