Thursday, January 8, 2015

MTA President Barbara Madeloni Issues Statement on Governor Baker’s Call to Lift the Cap on Charter Schools


MTA President Barbara Madeloni issued the following statement today concerning Governor Charlie Baker’s comments on lifting the charter school cap:

 

The Massachusetts Teachers Association is strongly opposed to Governor Baker’s call to accelerate the privatization of public education in our Commonwealth by lifting the cap on charter schools. It is a shame that on Baker’s first day in office, his education focus is to support an initiative that undermines rather than supports the district public schools that have served Massachusetts students so well.

 

Public education is the foundation of democracy, and as such must adhere to deeply democratic principles. Charter schools undermine that vision, substituting market-driven practices for democratic engagement. 

 

Our legislators have established charter school caps for good reason. After an initial period of reimbursement, charter schools drain millions of dollars from local public schools, depriving students of needed resources. 

 

It is critical to recognize that charter schools fail to educate the same percentage of special needs students and English language learners as the sending districts, leaving our schools with fewer resources to serve a higher-need student population.

 

In addition, charter schools are notorious for using enrollment and discipline practices that drive out students who have academic or behavioral issues. This creates a two-tiered system of education that some charter schools and their proponents use to make inflated claims of providing students with a superior education.

 

I am deeply concerned that Governor Baker cites the discredited statistic that there are 45,000 students on charter school waiting lists just weeks after Auditor Suzanne Bump issued a report that found serious “deficiencies” in how charter school waiting lists are calculated, leading to inflated figures.

 

We appreciate that Governor Baker said in his inaugural speech he is a “proud product of the Massachusetts public schools.” We urge him to make support of the state’s district public schools – like the ones he attended – the centerpiece of his education platform for the sake of the nearly one million students who attend them.

 

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

We need Barbara more than ever.

Anonymous said...

Barbara is not the only answer to the MTA, rank and file participation is. What is mindboggling is the pathetic participation in the NBEA. Justtake a look at the representation that showed to ratify the contract. What is more importatnt to the individual member than that. Unfortunately, this is why teachers are not taken seriuosly at the bargaining table.

Anonymous said...

Bottom line, Charter Schools = Low wages. That is what Charlie represents, a low wage middle class

Anonymous said...

Keep it up Barbara, continue to discredit that fraud, Charlie Baker

Anonymous said...

I agree! Teachers want everyone else to do their bidding for them. Police and fireman stand united. That's why they get compensated and get respect.

Anonymous said...

I would also defend those not present because it is a rare work day for police and fire to lug home any work after putting in hours of unpaid overtime. Many of those that were not at the ratification meeting WERE STILL AT SCHOOL WORKING FOR FREE. The NBPS teacher is an abused worker. Plain and simple. If you show up "unprepared" even once you may be evaluated as ineffective and targeted for the year.

Anonymous said...

Teachers were given sufficient notice of the ratification date. Don't use excuses to justify your absence. All teachers have tons of work to do to keep up with the demands of the job. When something as important as your contract is being discussed, you plan ahead and show up. Don't just assume someone else will show up for you.

Anonymous said...

To"We're still at School working", you are playing right into where they want you to be. No time to fight for what you deserve.That is part of their grand plan, keep you down and out by keeping you overworked. Teachers by nature are too nurturing to be able to see the forest through the trees and the other side of the table knows it.

Anonymous said...

Police just won support from Beacon Hill to allow retired officers to work for their communities in a limited capacity role such as details when they are unable to be filled by currently employed officers. Why is it that police continue to receive benefits added to their contracts while teachers continuously have benefits chipped away from theirs?

Anonymous said...

Charter schools=discrimination.