The Washington City Paper just published long expose of the questionable, unethical, and downright thuggish lobbying tactics that have been used to hide what happens inside privately-run DC public schools. The City Paper’s Rachel M. Cohen just delivered a truckload of receipts confirming what DC families have suspected for years: a powerful network— shielded by Congress and financed by millions of tax dollars and corporate foundations —has been operating in the shadows. Behind closed doors, they bully charter school operators. They intimidate parents. They silence the press. They muscle over DC politicians.
On October 2, the DC Council is taking a modest first step toward bringing a little light. The B23-0199, “Public School Transparency Amendment Act of 2019” would require privately-run public schools to disclose who is getting paid with our tax dollars. Despite the brass-knuckle tactics of charter industry as a whole, we know most charter schools are run by decent, honest, hard-working educators who love our children. These privately-run public schools will surely survive the same level of transparency that we require of neighborhood schools. They have nothing to hide.
We need turn out on Oct. 2 and demand DC politicians stop allowing this lobby to get away with muting operations in the whole sector. Make transparency and ethical standards in public education great again. There is still time to register to testify at the Oct. 2 hearing. You could do so HERE. And if the charter bosses have ordered you to testify against this bill, thanks to Ms. Cohen, now we better understand your dilemma. Just blink twice…
The topic of DC’s privately-run schools will be discussed at these two forums on 9/11 and 9/24:
6:30 p.m. Wed. Sept. 11
‘Bethel 21’: School Choice Forum
Hosted by Joshua Johnson, host of NPR’s 1A. PANELISTS:
Marco Clark, Richard Wright Public Charter School
Adam Harris, The Atlantic
Elizabeth Davis, Washington Teachers Union.
Metropolitan A.M.E. Church. 1518 M Street N.W.
6:30 p.m. Tues. Sept. 24.
City Paper Community Conversations- School Transparency.
Moderated by Rachel M. Cohen, PANELISTS:
Fritz Mulhauser, DC Open Government Coalition
Elizabeth Koenig, EmpowerED
Rich Pohlman, FOCUS
Black Cat- 1811 14th St NW