What "Reformers" Really Want

[proud2BlibKansan]

This video of corporate reformer Jonah Edelman has been causing a stir in the edu-blogosphere this weekend. You may not want to watch the whole thing (it's down below), as it gets into the weeds of a specific political fight taking place in Illinois over "Senate Bill 7," but it is instructive for a larger reason. Here's a breakdown:

Edelman's group, Stand for Children (these guys really have no shame, do they?), outlines why SB7 is the greatest thing for kids since the polio vaccine. It's the same old reformy pap: "... teacher effectiveness is the number one in-school factor determining student learning..." is always a clue that you're in for the same old "reforms." Test scores for evaluations, gutting tenure, principals getting more say in hiring... and, of course, lots of tests, tests, tests!

What's fascinating here is the ruthlessness and self-regard that Edelman evinces. Basically, when the Democrats in Illinois decided to screw teachers out of their pensions, the unions decided to withhold support. In jumped Edelman, in pure Shock Doctrine fashion, to use the state's fiscal problems as an excuse to push his corporate reform agenda (an agenda, by the way, that shows no evidence of working to solve a problem no one has shown to exist).

Edelman sized up the Illinois political scene and decided to bet on the Democratic side, filling up their coffers with cash that was missing now that the unions had withheld their support. Edelman admits the objective was to tilt power in the Illinois legislature toward long-time House Speaker Michael Madigan. The payoff? SB7.

more . . . http://jerseyjazzman.blogspot.com/2011/07/what-reformers-really-want.html

[Odin2005]

1. What an evil POS Edelman is.

[proud2BlibKansan]

2. Did you hear they pulled this video from the internet?

It was posted by the Aspen Institute, where Edelman made these comments. Then someone went 'oops' and pulled the video. But a blogger (Klonsky) had already grabbed a copy. It went viral on teacher blogs.

POS is correct. His mother should be ashamed. She was one of my sheroes for many years. But if she's buying into this crap, she's history to me.