Parents in Chicago Support Real Education

A recent public opinion poll taken by the Chicago Tribune revealed that parents in Chicago side with the Chicago Teacher's Union over Mayor Rahm Emanuel when it comes to education policy by a ratio of 2:1. They overwhelmingly think teachers should get paid more for working more hours as the longer school day is implemented next year. Not surprisingly, African-American and Latino respondents were the most opposed to the Mayor's education plan. Their communities have been the most disrupted and disenfranchised.

Considering the disbanding of the Philadelphia public school system didn't make the national news, I'd be surprised if this does. There are parents across the country who feel the same way about corporate school reform (of course, Rahm's aggressive approach that disrespects parents doesn't exactly help his approval ratings). Along with the dissolution of Philly's public schools, this should be seen as another referendum on mayoral control and the top-down corporate school reform that results from it.

Arne Duncan was the CEO of Chicago's Public Schools after Paul Vallas who then worked for Philly's public schools (and later, New Orleans). Both were appointed under mayoral control and are staunch advocates of privatization. What happened in Philly is not a coincidence and what is happening nationwide to low-income, minority communities isn't either. Mayoral control is always the predecessor to massive privatization schemes that are harmful to parents, teachers, and children. Chicago Public School officials just announced they will be opening 60 more charters in spite of public opinion (and research). If you live in a city with mayoral control of schools, contact your state legislators and demand an elected school board ASAP.

Chicago owes a lot to its labor history, but particularly to the CTU and other organizations that have been fighting for over a decade for Chicago's children. In light of the corporate media, this is a glimmer of hope and proves you can't fool all the people all the time.