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January 23, 2008

A Modest Proposal

In today's Washington Post, Jay Mathews lauds Andrew J. Rotherham's 5 so-called win-win Deals charter schools and politicians can make to push charter school growth and achievement to the next level.

Deal #5 - let the unions into charter schools. Mathews explains, with jaw-dropping candor, why pols will want to jump on-board with this one: "a Democratic president or governor cannot get far without teacher union backing." In other words, Democratic candidates should throw charter schools under the unionization bus to gain teacher union endorsements. And, presumably, the charter movement should allow it in order to continue its move into the mainstream, or otherwise face increasing, ultimately debilitating, push-back from the unions - and the resulting abandonment from politicians. 
 
It's an explicit acquiescence to, if not downright endorsement of, the political machine, and as such a great idea for unions and politicians. But where do the kids fit into this "fair trade" - except as a football for the political and financial aggrandizement of the 'power' players?
 
Says Rotherman, "teachers unions are the most powerful education interest group at the state and national level. In other words, for charter schools to expand substantially, either the political landscape will have to change a great deal, or they will have to make some accommodations with teachers union leaders."

Fortunately, the political landscape has already changed a great deal in support of school choice and accountability, and to turn back now to the 'safe haven' of unions' political protectionism would be folly indeed.

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