Good morning, CharterFolk.
Sometimes, it can be quite the challenge for CharterFolk to maintain zen amid all the ridiculousness we have to contend with.
Wherever we turn, we seem to find more of it.
Like the recent reporting that Randi Weingarten has left her position on the Democratic National Committee.
Weingarten has aligned herself with a group that wants to take out Democratic incumbents in safe districts.
Do you think that group’s priority is replacing those incumbents with a new generation of Dems who support an abundance agenda in public education?
Well, given where its leader was first raised to national prominence …
… I kinda doubt it.
As this drama within the Democratic Party has been playing out, Ben Austin did a great job cautioning Dems against continuing down the education scarcity path they’ve been pursuing.
In his national roundup, Marc Porter Magee at 50CAN connected Ben’s piece to the growing disconnect between the Democratic Party and sane educational policy, as was demonstrated by last week’s publication at ProPublica.
It’s exactly where I would have gone.
For years I have been highlighting how CPS and many other districts are siphoning money away from schools parents want their kids to attend to subsidize schools that parents don’t want their kids to attend.
It’s the very definition of a scarcity agenda.
I used to cite figures showing the district spending almost $50,000 per kid on some kids at the expense of others, while having virtually nothing to show for it academically.
But ProPublica confirms the latest numbers shared by the Illinois Policy Institute.
It’s now over $93,000.
Literally.
CharterFolk, when ProPublica and the Illinois Policy Institute are on the same side of an issue, you know you’re likely in an environment that will challenge your zen-maintaining abilities.
Pedro Martinez, who tried to hold the line on reasonability in Chicago, has now migrated to Massachusetts.
It will be interesting to see:
Is this from whence a modicum of Democrat reasonableness can emerge?
It wasn’t so long ago, CharterFolk were recognizing Martinez for the fair shake he would give high performing charter schools in San Antonio.
Having had the experience he’s had in Chicago, will he remember his more charter-friendly roots?
Goodness knows, Massachusetts is following Weingarten right out the door …
… of seriousness on education reform.
The ridiculousness has included stonewalling the expansion of a great KIPP school with a massive waiting list.
I find the best way to maintain zen amid the ridiculousness is to keep in steady contact with CharterFolk who are creating the very abundance that others so sadly oppose.
Not so long ago we celebrated the incredible contributions of Kelly Garrett, the CEO of KIPP St. Louis who is wrapping up 15 years of service as CEO.
And last month, in Mollie’s CharterFolk on the Move, we celebrated the hire of incoming CEO Nathalie Means Henderson.
Then this week I got to see the two of them together as they toured me around the amazing organization that they lead.
What else can I report but:
Zen maintained.