In the Public Interest’s pick of recent news about the privatization of public education in the District and the families, students, and teachers fighting back.
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D.C. charter schools experience first enrollment drop since 1996. Enrollment in the District’s charter school sector declined slightly this academic year, breaking a streak of growth that began in 1996 when the privately run but publicly funded campuses were established. “The decline in charter school enrollment follows a rough year for the sector, with four campuses not reopening because of finances or poor academic performance. One of those schools, Democracy Prep Congress Heights, served 759 students.” The Washington Post
Sen. Warren’s plan would destroy D.C.’s education system…apparently. A fellow with Young Voices, a right-wing public relations firm that’s a member of the Koch brothers-backed State Policy Network, took aim at Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s proposed education plan by lifting up D.C.’s private school voucher program and charter school sector. The Washington Times
“Don’t erect unnecessary roadblocks.” The charter school industry is fighting proposed rules aimed at making the privately operated schools subject to freedom of information (FOIA) requests, and requiring them to hold public board meetings like their traditional, neighborhood school counterparts. WUSA9
Right-wing think tank weighs in on Chicago. A senior policy analyst with the right-wing Heritage Foundation—which President Trump has tapped consistently for White House advisors—used Washington, D.C.’s charter school sector to argue that parents should send their kids to charter schools instead of support striking teachers in Chicago. Chicago Sun Times