by David Safier The AEN (Arizona Education Network) is one of the best friends Arizona education has. Together with others, the group has created a ballot measure, the Quality Education and Jobs Act, to guarantee increased funding for our schools, which now have the lowest funding per student in the country. They need volunteers to … Read more
by David Safier A journalist for a national publication is interested in interviewing former teachers and other employees of online schools connected with K12 Inc. and Connections Academy. I told her I would see if any BfA readers would be willing to be interviewed. I've spoken with the journalist. She's experienced, serious and competent. If … Read more
by David Safier
I could write thousands of words about Tom Horne and John Huppenthal and their crusade to deny TUSD students the right to participate in the successful and nationally respected Mexican American Studies program. But why bother? Their anti-Hispanic political agenda is too obvious to need much more discussion. TUSD Board President Mark Stegeman and Superintendent John Pedicone, on the other hand, are in a different category. Unlike Horne and Huppenthal, they are basically decent, intelligent people who aren't trying to use the MAS controversy to advance their careers. But to their great discredit, they have chosen to be on the wrong side of history.
The fights over Civil Rights in the 50s and 60s were far more vicious than Tucson's battles over Mexican American Studies. But if I were to compare the two struggles, I would not compare Stegeman and Pedicone to Orval Faubus, who called out the Arkansas National Guard to try and stop Little Rock's Central High School from being integregated, or George Wallace, who blocked the door at the University of Alabama to stop two black students from entering. No, the Hornes and Huppenthals and Russell Pearces are the Faubuses and Wallaces of present day Arizona.
Stegeman and Pedicone are the enablers, the people who should know better but make it possible for the truly vile politicians in this state to carry out their racist, politically charged agendas.
by David Safier A task force headed by Condi "Smoking gun into a mushroom cloud" Rice (so much for her credibility) and ex-New York school system chancellor Joel Klein has decided to use 9/11 langugage to up the ante on their conservative "education reform" agenda. "The dominant power of the 21st century will depend on … Read more
by David Safier (h/t to Debbie Reese. I think she should consider herself an honorary, esteemed citizen of Tucson — if she would take that as a compliment.) I wrote this morning about the NY Times article on author Matt de la Peña's visit to TUSD. I just learned he wrote about it himself. He … Read more