Respectfully submitted by Lawrence E. Rafferty (rafflaw) Weekend Contributor
I have to give Governor Bruce Rauner credit for not taking long to show his hand and publicly attack the Higher Education system in Illinois. It has only been a few weeks since he was inaugurated and he recently unveiled his budget. A budget plan that slashes over $200 million just from the University of Illinois alone.
At the very time Gov. Rauner announced he wants to slash the Higher Education budget for all universities in the State of Illinois by almost a third, he claimed that his budget makes education a priority!
“Higher education is set to take a major hit in Illinois.
Following similar announcements by the Republican governors of Wisconsin and Louisiana, newly-sworn in Illinois Governor Bruce Rauner released what he called a “turnaround” budget, that would slash nearly $209 million from the University of Illinois.” Think Progress
“It’s time to make education our top priority again – and that’s what this budget does,” he told lawmakers Tuesday night, touting his plan to give about $25 million more to early childhood education. “With reform, we will be able to invest more in education and give our kids world class schools.” Think Progress
While the proposed budget increases some funding for K-12 education, the University of Illinois system will lose one-third of its state financing under this budget. This very same proposed budget makes absolutely no mention of any increased revenue sources or plans. What will happen to the University system if these cuts are retained in the final budget?
One can expect the cuts to cause increased fees being charged to students as well as the loss of many educational programs. The result of these massive reductions in state financing will be to transfer the costs to students who are already paying high tuition and fee costs. The loan balances of many students already into the 6 figures and Gov. Rauner’s actions will make sure that student debt will continue to climb in Illinois.
So often the claims that all areas of the State have to share in the burden of digging out of a financial hole ends up with some of the most vulnerable bearing the brunt of that burden. If the Governor is convinced that we all have to sacrifice in this job to balance the budget, why wouldn’t new tax sources be considered along with reasonable cuts?
Will these draconian cuts make it more difficult for students from poor and middle class families to obtain a college education? In this very same budget proposal, Gov. Rauner biggest cuts are aimed directly at those who are least able to afford them.
“Yet the state would spend $400 million less on higher education, $600 million less on local governments, and $1.5 billion less on Medicaid, which handles health care costs for poor residents. University leaders and mayors said they were worried, and advocates for the poor said they feared medical needs would go unmet under deep cuts to Medicaid.” New York Times
When the cities, counties and municipalities raise their taxes to pay for basic services for their residents, who has to pay for those increases? “In many cases, Rauner’s state budget cuts could simply end up shifting costs: local governments could choose to raise property taxes, state universities could raise tuition and the CTA could increase fares.” Chicago Tribune
For a man who spent at least $37 million of his own money to get elected governor, he sure has no problem making the middle class and poor pay more for a college education and for health care and local taxes and transportation costs.
Rauner seems to be following the economic model that worked so “well” for Gov. Brownback in Kansas and Gov. Walker in Wisconsin.
Just how has that austerity approach worked out for Kansas and Wisconsin?
Additional Sources: Examiner.com; Crains Chicago Business
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Prairie Rose,
The privatization of public schools is linked to the issue of charter schools. I am concerned about the privatization of public schools…about taxpayers’ money going to enrich individuals and for-profit organizations/companies. Hundreds of billions of dollars are spent every year on public education. That money should be spent on public schools and on our children’s education. It should not be going to profiteers.
Elaine, way back in my early nursing days, as young inexperienced nurses we looked to the older nurses with years of experience to mentor us. Their vast knowledge and years of experience with hands on nursing was of infinite value and saved many a novice nurse’s butt. When working with human beings we need to be cognizant of the fact that people, especially young people, deserve teachers, nurses, doctors, etc. who know what the heck they are doing.
Elaine,
“It has been the advocates of charter schools/vouchers/the privatization of public schools who have been claiming that all public schools in this country are failing. That is most definitely not true.”
I agree. That also seems to be the argument of most politicians about “the nation’s schools, hence the one-size-fits-all legislation like NCLB.
“What’s wrong with public school advocates pointing out that charter schools are experiencing some of the same problems as traditional public schools?”
Nothing; it’s accurate. That said, it does seem that public school advocates want to stop charter schools from even existing. When that ends up being the underlying argument (“all” charter schools have the same problems and failings as public schools so they shouldn’t even exist), it only puts charter school proponents on defense. It entrenches people.
Now that we have a clearer vision of what is causing kids to struggle in both systems, let’s fix it in both systems. If a charter school is succeeding, then it should be allowed to continue serving students.
“Until charter school advocates admit the truth, I will continue to point out my concerns about charter schools”
That’s fine.
“and the attempt by some people/groups to privatize public education in this country”
This is a separate issue, a separate point of discussion. This is not a concern about the quality or not.
What are your concerns on this point? Who are the “some people/groups” you are concerned about? Are all of them concerning? Are you concerned about any privatization of public education or are you concerned that people would want all public schools to become privatized?
Karen,
Regarding mentoring of new teachers–here’s an excerpt from one of my RIL posts on charter schools:
“Mentors are an important factor in providing support for new teachers as they enter the real world of the classroom, but mentoring alone is not enough. Comprehensive induction proves most effective at keeping good teachers in the classroom. Studies demonstrate that new teacher turnover rates can be cut in half through comprehensive induction—a combination of high-quality mentoring, professional development and support, scheduled interaction with other teachers in the school and in the larger community, and formal assessments for new teachers during at least their first two years of teaching.14”
I can speak from experience. Mentor teachers can prove invaluable in helping young and inexperienced teachers by providing them with advice, insight, educational ideas and materials that have proved successful in the classroom, and by being a sounding board for them when they feel a need to express their frustrations, insecurities, and fears. Experienced teachers helped me when I was a teaching “ingénue.” Later, when I was a seasoned professional, I helped guide and advise young teachers. I shared books and teaching materials with them. I also listened to their new ideas. Other experienced educators at my school and I found that mentoring new teachers helped us to bond with them and to become a close-knit educational community.
Older teachers provide wisdom. Young teachers bring in a “breath of fresh air.” I think the healthiest school communities have teachers with different perspectives and levels of classroom experience—new teachers, teachers in mid career, and the old sages who have been around the block more than a few times.
One has to wonder how difficult it must be for young and inexperienced teachers to find mentors in their schools if most of the classroom practitioners have little more experience than they. One has to wonder how schools where teachers stay for just two or three years can develop their own culture and institutional memory—as well as a sense of stability and community. One has to wonder how children feel when their teachers come and go so frequently and rarely show evidence of a commitment to their schools and the student population.
Elaine – 50% of teachers leave the profession in the first year. That happens in TPS. At my school I was responsible for mentoring new faculty, whether they were experience or fresh off the boat. Unless you are co-teaching a class, teaching is a solitary experience, not a collaboration.
Karen,
You’re the one who has claimed it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to fire a bad teacher. The onus is upon you to show that is true…and that there are no benefits to providing dedicated educators with tenure. There are charter school advocates who think it’s great that most of their teachers have no more than two, three, or fours years of experience. I fail to see how that is good for a school, for the students, or the educational process. Who mentors, helps, and gives advice to new teachers in such charter schools? How does a school culture develop in these institutions? What does it tell young children about their teachers’ commitment to them and their schools?
Elaine, my exact thought, lol.
Karen,
Are you calling me a liar?
Prairie Rose,
Charter schools aren’t all filled with with children who are struggling in public schools. Some charter schools take more than their share of students with difficulties; many do not. Some take less than their share of students with learning or behavioral problems.
It has been the advocates of charter schools/vouchers/the privatization of public schools who have been claiming that all public schools in this country are failing. That is most definitely not true. What’s wrong with public school advocates pointing out that charter schools are experiencing some of the same problems as traditional public schools? Until charter school advocates admit the truth, I will continue to point out my concerns about charter schools and the attempt by some people/groups to privatize public education in this country.
Elaine – the charter schools set up by one of the local high school districts takes only top students in specialized areas. No discipline problems, no special ed, etc. Only the best for their charter schools.
Elaine,
“I’m attempting to make the point that charter schools have their issues–just like traditional public schools. But it seems that charter proponents consider all TPS to be failing and charter schools to be the answer for all the ills afflicting public education.”
You are correct that many troubled charter schools are struggling with the same issues as troubled public schools (maybe even more so if they are predominantly filled with the kids who were struggling in the public school system). You are also correct that it seems that charter school proponents seem to overlook the real-world difficulties that both charter schools and public schools face.
I am concerned though, that by pointing out all the failings of charter schools, the argument will stay stagnant in a “charter schools will save us” versus a “charter schools are terrible” spinning debate. That won’t help either one improve. And, it allows the powers that be to keep people as opponents rather than bringing people together to fix problems held in common. This discussion seems to be becoming the latter, one that is examining the details, which, to me, is more interesting and fun and productive. 🙂
Elaine:
“I never claimed there was no fraud in public schools. (Charter schools are also public schools.) I’m attempting to make the point that charter schools have their issues–just like traditional public schools. But it seems that charter proponents consider all TPS to be failing and charter schools to be the answer for all the ills afflicting public education.”
What you are saying is patently untrue. Are you just unable to deal with the facts presented, and resorting to making things up?
I have said repeatedly, and very simply, that I acknowledge that some public schools are great, and some Charter schools have problems, and that shining the light of public scrutiny has a disinfecting effect.
How you can come to the above conclusion based on what I’ve said boggles the mind. Unless it is deliberate, in which case you are over-faced with the argument.
You do not have the right to take away school choice from parents, which is exactly what Teachers Unions are trying to do.
Karen, George Will wrote a good piece today on Rauner and the failed state of Illinois. Will is from Illinois.
Karen, JT has scrubbed this thread pretty clean. If that comment is still up there I would email JT about it. To help him, give him the date/time of the comment.
So, basically, for anyone who is not in utter denial, parents want and deserve the choice on where to send their kids to school. If their local public school is failing, or they have bad teachers, you do not tell your kids, tough. You don’t live near an excellent school, so you will ruin your future prospects with a bad education.
No, you should have the chance to look around and find a better school, such as a charter if it performs better, without having to move to a more expensive neighborhood, or quit your job to homeschool.
Anyone who denies this basic, fundamental right of parenthood, the right to choose where your child is educated, is in direct opposition to the majority of parents.
This is simply a question about power and money to the Teachers Union. They cannot compete with charter schools, and so they try to crush the competition. Any organization that tries to to prevent others from competing knows full well that they cannot win fairly, and so they try to cheat.
There is no denying that Teachers Unions defended pedophile teachers here in CA. Anyone who supports Teachers Unions are supporting an organization that defends child rapists and ensures they get their pensions. Because of teachers unions, CA had to pay a serial pedophile $40,000 just to go away because they could not simply fire him for cause. That is shameful, wrong, and I will oppose any organization that would act this way. As would any decent, introspective person. The Teachers Union is NOT all about the kids. I am. See the difference?
Paul,
If troubled public schools did this, there would probably be a great deal of improvement. Having one person who actually gives a hoot about a student in a difficult situation does make a world of difference. Glad your school is doing this.
Mespo:
“No person on this thread wants any unqualified teacher in the classroom. To suggest otherwise, is … well a lie.”
Are you calling me a liar again? Come on, lawyer. Name one single lie I have ever made, because calling me a liar makes you look really desperate.
I have repeatedly asked Elaine why she supports tenure when it takes hundreds of thousands of dollars to fire a bad teacher. And parents believe 23% of teachers in our public schools are failing.
To suggest that you do not want an unqualified teacher in the classroom, yet support tenure which is a barrier to removing bad teachers, is obviously a paradox. You can deny the facts all you want, but tenure is cited as a major problem by school boards when there is a problem with a teacher.
The two positions are mutually exclusive. When pro-Teachers Unions get over their denial and face this reality, perhaps we can get some real change.
But you cannot have it both ways – say you would never want an unqualified teacher in the classroom, and yet make it impossible to remove them.
I am not a liar. You and Elaine are quite simply wrong, and children in the US pay for that willful blindness in schools across the country.
Would you like to revisit the school rankings site in CA, and defend all those glaring red dots for failing schools? Tell me again why the status quo is working out so wonderfully for America’s children. Maybe if you keep repeating it, clicking your heels together, it will magically come true with no change or effort on anyone’s part.
Paul,
I never claimed there was no fraud in public schools. (Charter schools are also public schools.) I’m attempting to make the point that charter schools have their issues–just like traditional public schools. But it seems that charter proponents consider all TPS to be failing and charter schools to be the answer for all the ills afflicting public education.
http://www.fbi.gov/detroit/press-releases/2013/former-detroit-public-schools-accountant-teacher-found-guilty-on-fraud-and-money-laundering-charges
Paul,
That’s tragic news. There are greedy, unethical people everywhere. I don’t hold out much hope for Chicago if Rahm Emanuel is re-elected.
Wadewilliams,
“Why not go over that, see the issues we have brought up, and do some of your own research and link it for us?”
This will take awhile. I have 4 children who would like an involved mother. 🙂
Here’s a start (obviously, the charter school issue is very location dependent). I am having trouble finding a review of the literature. Perhaps there are articles behind fee-walls or dissertations on this topic, but I haven’t found them yet.
http://wunc.org/post/29-percent-north-carolina-public-schools-rated-d-or-f
http://mediad.publicbroadcasting.net/p/wunc/files/201502/main_image_0.jpg
I will have to read this report to understand the details of the grading system. Are they fair?
Paul C. Schulte,
“The schools I worked at meet every week to discuss the problem students, which included teachers, staff and administrators. We were all part of education the child. The person we thought who had the best relationship with the troubled student was assigned the task of talking to them.”
That is what my public middle school did, minus the staff and administrators. The teachers met as a team, and we tried to help struggling students as a team. It is an excellent strategy.
Prairie Rose – when we first started it was just the teachers and the special ed teacher. When I became the Instructional Specialist I added the staff and administrators. Every child has one person in the school they connect with. Sometimes it’s the janitor, sometimes it’s a teacher, whatever. We wanted that person to make the connection with the student. My theory was that they had the biggest influence.
Show us the Money:”Master Class” for private equity investors in public education
http://parentsacrossamerica.org/show-money-master-class-private-equity-investors-public-education/
Excerpt:
Even when people recognize how hard corporations are working to take over public education, they still wonder – is there really that much money to be made in education? Maybe the hedge funders are really doing all this just to help children.
It’s a natural question given the fact that teachers are modestly paid and schools are mostly underfunded, hardly one’s idea of a lucrative investment opportunity.
Well, the private equity investor drool is on full display in this “Master Class” invitation from Capital Roundtable, a group that bills itself as “America’s leading conference company for the middle-market private equity community.”
Here are just a few quotes from the “Master Class” announcement which should leave no room for speculation about corporate motivation to get involved in public education .
“Private equity investing in for-profit education is soaring.”
“For-profit education is one of the largest U.S. investment markets, currently topping $1.3 trillion in value.”
“2013, and beyond, will see numerous for-profit companies making inroads into public and non-profit education by taking over large swaths of the market. What’s more, they’ll prosper in the corporate training and continuing education marketplace as well.”
Elaine – bad news from the Democratically liberally controlled Chicago Public Schools
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/ct-cps-inspector-general-report-met-20150105-story.html
870k went missing.