Barack Obama, public schools, and the oligarchs

The several crises in Chicago schools have been recorded here; the teachers’ strike, the closing of schools, the crisis of low achievement.

“Most recently, Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel oversaw the closing of 50 public schools, many of which will be replaced by charter schools. A bulk of the 550 laid-off teachers will be replaced by Teach for America contractors, many of whom teach in charter schools.”

The Joyce foundation, with direct and substantial ties to President Barack Obama has been central to “educational reform” in Chicago, and Arne Duncan style education reform in the nation.

“Joyce is a major liberal foundation. President Barack Obama sat on its board of directors from 1994 to 2002, as did Valerie Jarrett, his former senior advisor and assistant to the president for intergovernmental affairs and public engagement .

A look at major organizations dedicated to restructuring U.S. education turns up a slew of current and former upper-level Joyce staff and board members.

Between 1995 and 2012, the Joyce Foundation spent $135.58 million on education reform.”

A significant piece of reporting directly connects Barack Obama both the failed educational “reform” efforts, and the anti teachers’ unions efforts. Read the report here.

http://www.mintpressnews.com/a-closer-look-at-the-joyce-foundation-shows-obamas-ties-to-chicago-school-privatizations/164972/