President Declares Charter School Week in May

By Jim Vail

Second City Teacher

Before the month of May ends, let me remind Second City Teacher readers that US President Barak Obama proclaimed a week in May the National Charter Schools Week.

This used to be a country committed to a public education for all and would honor its many, hard working public school teachers.

That was then.

Now we see the neoliberal, fanatical right wing ruling class declaring war on working people everywhere, and issuing government proclamations in support of sweatshop labor in schools.

"America's success in the 21st century depends on what we do today to reignite the true engine of our economic growth:  a thriving middle class," Obama's speech writers, okayed by wealthy hedge fund donors, declared via the president's mouth.  

"Achieving that vision means making sure our education system provides ladders of opportunity for our sons and daughters.  We need to equip all our students with the education and skills that put them on the path to good jobs and a bright future - no matter where they live or what school they attend.  Charter schools play an important role in meeting that obligation."

Really - charter schools contribute to building a middle class by destroying middle class public school teaching jobs?

The president, I mean the business class, even had to make sure the truth coming out on how charter schools are doing no better than public schools, and actually can cheat more under a de-regulated model, had to be addressed.

"In return for this flexibility, we should expect high standards and accountability, and make tough decisions to close charter schools that are underperforming and not improving."

I had to shake my head and think, can the ruling class really think the people are this dumb.  When charter schools first came out 15 years ago or so, they were proclaimed as the great incubators to do things the public schools couldn't do.

Scams, poor test results, etc. have dimmed the luster, and they are no longer really embraced by the public.

But that doesn't stop the president from saying the same thing 15 years later.

"These learning laboratories give educators the chance to try new models and methods that can encourage excellence in the classroom and prepare more of our children for college and careers."

Hey, when you own the president (read the Pritzker series on this site), then you can make him say anything to make you money!

When you read this garbage, you can't help but slowly shake your head and lament a president who is merely a puppet mouthing what his masters tell him to say.  

It was so obvious that this proclamation came straight from the ruling class via billionaire technocrats, hedge fund hotshots, Gates and Walton Foundations - the very rich destroying the rest of us - the 99%.

That is who the president represents - the 1%.  Does anyone want to argue with this?

When I argued against the Chicago Teachers Union endorsing the guy and his Race to the Top that is built to soundly destroy our public education system, the union leadership fired back that there is no better alternative.

If we continue to take this, there will be nothing left.  Nothing!  Nothing!!!

NATIONAL CHARTER SCHOOLS WEEK, 2013

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BY THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

A PROCLAMATION

America's success in the 21st century depends on what we do today to reignite the true engine of our economic growth: a thriving middle class. Achieving that vision means making sure our education system provides ladders of opportunity for our sons and daughters. We need to equip all our students with the education and skills that put them on the path to good jobs and a bright future -- no matter where they live or what school they attend.

Charter schools play an important role in meeting that obligation. These learning laboratories give educators the chance to try new models and methods that can encourage excellence in the classroom and prepare more of our children for college and careers. In return for this flexibility, we should expect high standards and accountability, and make tough decisions to close charter schools that are underperforming and not improving. But where charter schools demonstrate success and exceed expectations, we should share what they learn with other public schools and replicate those that produce dramatic results. Many charter schools choose to locate in communities with few high-quality educational options, making them an important partner in widening the circle of opportunity for students who need it most.

Our children are ready to write the next great chapter in the American story. As parents and teachers and citizens, it is up to all of us to provide them the tools they need to keep our country moving forward -- from a degree that leads to a good job to the critical thinking skills that make our democracy thrive. This week, we recognize charter schools that are advancing those goals, and we recommit to helping our Nation's children go as far as their talents will take them.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 5 through May 11, 2013, as National Charter Schools Week. I commend our Nation's charter schools, teachers, and administrators, and I call on States and communities to support charter schools and the students they serve.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this third day of May, in the year of our Lord two thousand thirteen, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and thirty-seventh.

BARACK OBAMA