Notes from the Field
Submitted by Frank Murphy, January 13, 2011
Yesterday, in an article published in the Chicago Sun-Times, Chicago mayoral candidate Miguel del Valle was attributed as saying, “Let’s stop attacking teachers”. Mr. del Valle is one of several candidates, including Rahm Emanuel, the former chief of staff of President Obama, who are seeking to be the next mayor of Chicago.
Miguel del Valle’s comment was made within the context of a broader statement in support of Chicago teachers he made in reference to the proposed “Performance Counts” legislation that is currently being considered in the Illinois state legislature. I discussed this proposed bill in this post at cityschoolstories.com.
It is refreshing to hear a candidate for an elective office taking a stand in support of teachers instead of pursuing the increasingly popular political tactic of bashing and scapegoating them. Even more interesting is his willingness to state his opposition to the idea that teacher unions should be denied the power to strike. Political figures that take such a stance are becoming an increasing rarity. In doing so, del Valle risks inflaming the ire of the free market corporate education reformers who are increasingly gaining control of our national educational policies. They have money and they know how to use it to support the campaigns of candidates who will support their educational agenda.
The biggest spenders and arguably the most influential players on the corporate education reform team are Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, and the Walton Family Foundation. The opinions and ideas of these super stars of school reform are so regularly reported by mainstream media organizations that it appears that their views are the only ones that matter in any discussion of the future of our public schools. Here is an interesting article that describes in detail how they have come to assert so much control over the schooling of America’s children.
Educators are finding it increasingly difficult to make their voices heard in this new order of school reform. Though they are the true experts concerning how schools work, teachers and administrators are finding that their expertise is ignored. According to Gregory Michie, the author of “Holler If You Hear Me: The Education of a Teacher and His Students” the best credential today for being an educational reformer is to have no credentials as an educator. (Read this excerpt written by Mr. Michie that is posted at The Answer Sheet.)
The prevailing point of view that business leaders know what is best for our schools is in effect, disempowering the very people who are expected to empower our children, namely teachers. We cannot expect our students to receive a world-class education in schools when their teachers are treated as second-class citizens. It is encouraging to know that we still have leaders such as Mr. del Valle who understand this point.