1:30 pm • 18 May 2012 • 9 notes
"In general, I’m not sure that TFA distances itself enough from neoliberal groups that are trying to deregulate, privatize and cut spending to public education in this country. I figure TFA has the best interests at heart, but doesn’t do enough to examine the ideological frameworks that they’re playing into. The Walton Family is one of the biggest donors. It makes my skin crawl to think that I’m a member of an organization that Wal Mart thinks is a good thing for education. Are we honestly supposed to believe that the wealthiest family in America is genuinely interested in creating equal educational opportunities for the poorest Americans? When has that ever been the case before?
Ultimately, TFA needs to be working for a system where TFA no longer exists, and I’m not sure that that is the goal presently. It frightens me to imagine entire school districts run by TFA CMs who have 0-2 years of experience. Is that the ultimate goal? Or is the ultimate goal to close the achievement gap so that excellent, qualified teachers are allowing kids from poor families to receive the same education as kids from rich ones? We’re not sending our teachers to the suburbs, because parents in the suburbs would have a fit if all of their teachers were straight out of college. Would you (whoever is reading this) send your kids to a school run by 22-24 year olds? Honestly?
"— my friend Josh on his Teach For America exit survey
