Yesterday, Education Reform Now and Democrats for Education Reform joined our friends over at the Education Post for a lively Twitter discussion on whether charter schools were really a bipartisan issue. The answer is obviously yes, but we’ll let the Republicans make their own case to their colleagues. We made our own case recently to our fellow Democrats in our new report “A Democratic Guide to Public Charter Schools.”
Here’s a recap of our #EduPostChat Twitter Chat, and don’t forget to check out our report. Thanks for joining!
It's time we discuss the elephant in the room. Or is it a donkey? #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/h0jcHF2zsJ
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 1, 2016
Okay, let's get into it and kick things off with the first question! Who's the bigger champion for #EdReform? #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/DsMf3vRFON
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
#Edreform is bipartisan endeavor. There are good & bad actors in each party. We think Dems are best party for kids of all ages! #EduPostChat
— Charles Barone (@CharlesBarone) November 2, 2016
Democrats have been bigger champions of #edReform for assuring equity, protecting educationally disadvantaged. #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
Charters see support from Rs who favor ed choice & Ds who want all students to have equal access to a great education #edupostchat
— Christy Wolfe (@Edwonkmom) November 2, 2016
Republicans used to be party of accountability. Now moving to markets-only approach. Falling short. #edupostchat https://t.co/Jw8ONLW4kB
— Charles Barone (@CharlesBarone) November 2, 2016
Wow. Huge growth. #ThanksObama! #EduPostChat https://t.co/FlQfKypHlx
— Mary Nguyen Barry (@mtlnguyen) November 2, 2016
7 states w/o charter school laws 6 “Red”: Montana, North & South Dakota, Nebraska, Kentucky, West Virginia, 1 “Blue”: Vermont #edupostchat pic.twitter.com/vXUCjnsbEA
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
15 states w/ 5.0 – 9.9% kids in charters. 10 Blue: CA, DE, HI, MI, MN, NM, NV, PA, OR, WI; 2 Purple: FL, OH; 3 Red ID, LA, UT #edupostchat pic.twitter.com/lk5JNV2eBt
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
We're starting to get into Question 2 so which @marianne_dfer and @CharlesBarone are sure to have some more answers for. #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/SV97E54kJs
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
.@edu_post @marianne_dfer @CharlesBarone What's clear to me is that charter policy tends to be smartest when it is bipartisan #EduPostChat
— Michael Petrilli (@MichaelPetrilli) November 2, 2016
Charter schools have always had bipartisan support – every president has supported charters since 1992 #EduPostChat
— Kim McCabe (@kimberly_mccabe) November 2, 2016
2014, bipartisan charter bill passed U.S. House 360-45 overwhelming bipartisan maj (34 D Nos, 11 R Nos) #edupostchat https://t.co/c3ycMpmWLp
— Charles Barone (@CharlesBarone) November 2, 2016
Public school choice affects all. Yet lack of access to quality schools largely effects typically Democratic constituencies. #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
Look at @NYGovCuomo and @GovMattBevin – charter schools are an issue Ds and Rs can agree on #EduPostChat
— Kim McCabe (@kimberly_mccabe) November 2, 2016
Of course it's a bipartisan issue, both Rs and Ds who understand the issue embrace giving parents quality options #EduPostChat
— Tracy Dell'Angela (@tracydell98) November 2, 2016
Q3: What happens inside parties? What are the divisions that exist between supporters of #CharterSchools in both parties? #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/6T9De4YRhV
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
Legitimate pressures by Dems to increase charter school accountability, transparency & quality help the charter movement. #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
A3: Rs: Active federal role and funding vs. letting the flowers bloom (or not) #EduPostChat
— Christy Wolfe (@Edwonkmom) November 2, 2016
Democrats opposing #charterschools ~ anti-immigrant Repubs 20 yrs ago. Demographics – age and race – are going opposite way, #EduPostChat
— Charles Barone (@CharlesBarone) November 2, 2016
A3: Dems: concerns of privatization & profiteering (some legitimate, some exaggerated) #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
A3: Many (suburban, white) Dems have no experience with low-performing schools or charter schools (lack a point of reference). #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
For Q4 we want to talk about local battles like Massachusetts' fight to #LiftTheCap and Georgia's #OpportunitySchoolDistrict. #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/cOenvBL1Wg
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
A4: Would be great for more Charter School Leaders, Teachers and Parents that identify as Democrats to speak out. Represent! #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
here are MA Dems who are #Yeson2. Not enough in a totally blue state! #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/A7e1Zojvob
— Erika Sanzi (@esanzi) November 2, 2016
Regardless of party all public officials need to look at parent demand for charters – listen to constituents not donors #EduPostChat
— Kim McCabe (@kimberly_mccabe) November 2, 2016
Because Dems supporting charter schools also support pro-family, pro-child policies, they are best prepared to lead reform. #EduPostChat
— Citizen Chris (@citizenstewart) November 2, 2016
Dems see school choice as *one* important avenue toward social justice, along with others that support children and families. #EduPostChat
— Citizen Chris (@citizenstewart) November 2, 2016
A4: Take legislators, community members, people of influence, etc. on school visits. Change hearts & minds! #edupostchat pic.twitter.com/wkdqpb55wJ
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
Here it is! Q5: See @MichaelPetrilli's article on what a "Democratic wave" could mean for #EdReform: https://t.co/EFNbBwLmqq #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/YkBMToOyBE
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
A5: It could mean widespread regulation out of a lack of trust of parent choices and charter accountability #edupostchat
— Christy Wolfe (@Edwonkmom) November 2, 2016
Community/school board vote on charter authorizations = tyranny of the majority #EduPostChat https://t.co/IPLVfEAtEu
— NJ Ed Report (@njedreport) November 2, 2016
Q6: How can both parties better work together to increase support for #EdReform? #EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/BW8WDqEjOr
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
A5: Be willing to find common ground even if long term goals differ. Slippery slopes off the table. #edupostchat
— Christy Wolfe (@Edwonkmom) November 2, 2016
A6: Vigorously respond to the great deal of misinformation – hold members of own party accountable for the facts. #edupostchat
— Marianne Lombardo (@marianne_lombar) November 2, 2016
Policymakers can look to @charteralliance model law to create strong laws #EduPostChat https://t.co/LfoJ70FFgI
— Kim McCabe (@kimberly_mccabe) November 2, 2016
Q5: Rs – sometimes a federal role is necessary empower parents and disrupt the system. Remember welfare reform? #edupostchat
— Christy Wolfe (@Edwonkmom) November 2, 2016
Here's the last question and perhaps most important one. #EduPostChat #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/w4IDd8ROF3
— Ed Post 🎓 (@edu_post) November 2, 2016
#EduPostChat pic.twitter.com/ScdFTWHoBq
— Erika Sanzi (@esanzi) November 2, 2016
Looks like we all have to get along now! Congratulations to the Cubs!!
