Shameless self promotion: Speaking at DGT Monday

by David Safier

Fresh off a speaking engagement at the SaddleBrooke Democratic Club last week on vouchers and charter schools, I will be talking about charter schools at Democrats of Greater Tucson (DGT) Monday. The title of the talk: "Charter Schools – the good, the bad and the truly ugly; an educator's view."

As readers know, I'm ambivalent about charters, because I know charters can be excellent — think BASIS, among others — but too many are bottom feeders, both because it's too easy to get a charter in Arizona and because there is far too little state oversight of their finances or the education they provide. The conservative push for privatization of public education is problematic, and the increasing move toward corporatization of charters nationwide is a very dangerous trend.

DGT begins at noon, at Dragon's View Restaurant, 400 N. Bonita (south of St. Mary's Rd, between the I-10 & Grande). It costs $8.50 for the Chinese Buffet lunch. You don't have to be a member to attend.