Schooling Arne Duncan... One teacher's experience trying to talk with the U.S. Sec of Education

[proud2BlibKansan]

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Former Chicago Schools CEO Arne Duncan on stage at Aviation High School on July 9, 2010. Substance photo by Garth Liebhaber.SocialistWorker.org contributor Jesse Hagopian is a teacher in Seattle who lost his jobs due to budget cuts and a founding member of the progressive union caucus Social Equality Educators <1> within the Seattle Education Association. Here, he describes an unexpected meeting with a pupil who badly needs to be educated on the facts about our schools.

"HI, ARNE. My name is Jesse Hagopian."

As I locked eyes and firmly shook hands, I wondered if my years of teaching would be enough to help the freshman Secretary of Education gain the knowledge and skills he would need.

Arne Duncan had come to the Seattle area on July 9 to address Aviation High School, and his visit happened to coincide with the American Federation of Teachers (AFT) convention taking place in Seattle. I joined the picket of teachers from the AFT who had journeyed to the high school with signs such as "Race to the Top: First place business, last place students."

More ... http://www.substancenews.net/articles.php?page=1551§ion=Article

[Lifelong Protester]

1. Thank you for posting that link,

it was most illuminating...unfortunately confirming my worst fears...

[Starry Messenger]

2. Tragic.

Arne is obviously just a salesman for privatization. "Schooling" him isn't going to change anything. His viewpoints are beyond redemption. I'm sure he and Rahm get a real chuckle out of the humor we "retards" must provide to their days.

[LWolf]

3. And Arne fails.

I enjoyed the framing of the interview as a structured lesson plan. :D

One <snip> I think bears repeating:

Parents: Don't let Arne close your child's school. If the federal government can bail out the banks and find the money to bomb children in Afghanistan, then we know there is enough money to build a world-class education system in your neighborhood. Demonstrate and speak out for the funding your school deserves rather than let it be shut down or privatized.

[eppur_se_muova]

4. "First place business, last place students" ... very effective.

Makes a catch bumper sticker, protest sign, etc.